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Macro and Nature
Photography - XI
You can see the high resolution pictures by clicking on each thumbnail in the
table below. Please note that some of the files are really large
(even larger than 1 MB) so they may take a while to download. As always, your comments
are welcomed !
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Penios river / Tempi valley,
Thessalia, Greece
While walking in the Tempi valley you realize why the old slogan
used to advertize Greece to tourists, "Chosen by the Gods",
was so appropriate. Indeed, the combination of Penios river,
slowly flowing among the trees and the rocks with the bright sun
and the blue sky make up a combination which is really hard to
beat. I have passed by this place many times in the past but
this was the first time that we decided to stop the car and
spend an hour looking around and taking some pictures. Driving
our own car allowed us to carry a great deal of photographic
equipment, which in turn meant that we could choose the right
lens for every shot. In this event, I was carrying a D2X with
the 12-24 mm, Johnny had a D70 with the 80-400 mm lens and
Christine the Coolpix.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data (photos 1-5):
1)
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens:
Sigma 12-24 mm D, 1:4.5-5.6, DG HSM @ 12 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f10 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, Smart
sharpening added and
resized.
2)
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens:
Sigma 12-24 mm D, 1:4.5-5.6, DG HSM
@ 12 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f10 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized.
3)
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens:
Sigma 12-24 mm D, 1:4.5-5.6, DG HSM
@ 12 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f10 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized.
4)
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens:
Sigma 12-24 mm D, 1:4.5-5.6, DG HSM
@ 12 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/160, f13 Aperture priority
Flash: None
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized.
5)
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens:
Sigma 12-24 mm D, 1:4.5-5.6, DG HSM
@ 12 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f13 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized.
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Limenitis reducta (Family: Nymphalidae; common
name: Southern White Admiral)
Shot at Lake Volvi, Thessaloniki, Greece, this butterfly
is one of the most beautiful I have seen in our country. Shooting
butterflies is a hit or miss case since they don't sit still for long
while their flight is completely unpredictable. This one gave a
clear sight (as clear as it can be anyway) for 2-3 seconds. Special
thanks are due to Matt Rowlings for identifying this butterfly. You
can read more about it at his site
http://www.eurobutterflies.com/species_pages/reducta.htm
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/250, f13 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject
more "visible".
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Passer domesticus (Common name: House sparrow)
I loved the way this sparrow was sitting on the fence as
if it was admiring the view of the lake. The long focal length allowed
me to take this shot without getting too close which would alarm the
bird. Shot at Lake Volvi, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/125, f16 Aperture priority
Flash: None
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject
more "visible".
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Sympetrum sanguineum (common
name: Ruddy darter)
Walking
at the Evros Delta we came across this
darter which was moving around. After many landings and take offs, it
decided to sit still for a couple of seconds. I had deliberately set a
high speed to compensate for the movement of the bush.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data :
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/1000, f7.1 Aperture priority
Flash: SB800 in i-TTL
Image:
JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject
more "visible".
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Pelecanus onocrotalus (common name:
White pelican)
This
flock of pelicans decided to take off
while we were approaching their resting point. Being in a nature
preservation park like the Evros Delta offers the photographer plenty of
opportunities for nice and interesting shots. Things are far less
controllable as compared to the zoo but on the other hand you learn a
lot about the natural habits of the animals while you can see and enjoy
things which are impossible in the zoo - exactly like those flying
pelicans.
Photo
by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/500 sec - f/9, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more
"visible". |
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Nirundo rustica (common name:
Swallow; Barn swallow)
Those swallows were sitting on those plants
at the Evros Delta reminding me of a group
of spectators enjoying the other birds in the area. Hard to resist this
kind of moments..
Photo
by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/500 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and
resized.
Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia
forest are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more
"visible". |
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Pelecanus crispus (common name: Dalmatian pelican)
A Dalmatian pelican swims gracefully at the Evros Delta until we
closed in with our cameras. Being a really large and heavy bird it
is not capable of taking off on the spot so we had the pleasure of
shooting its taking off. First it makes several jumps on the water,
flapping its wings, till it gains some height. What a contrast when
compared with the sitting pelicans you see at the zoo.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/640 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart
sharpening added and resized
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/750 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart
sharpening added and resized
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/640 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart
sharpening added and resized
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/640 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart
sharpening added and resized.
Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia
forest are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more
"visible".
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Chrysopa carneia (Family:
Chrysopidae; common name: Green lacewing)
While getting down from the bird
observatory at the Dadia forest (Evros,
Greece) I noticed this insect sitting on a leaf. I was surprised by
its golden eyes so I took several shots of it. Despite the use of
flash, the insect didn't move an inch.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f7.1 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject
more "visible".
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Vultures in Dadia Forest (Aegypius
monachus, Neophron percnopterus, Gypaetus barbatus)
The feeding place of the vultures in the
Dadia forest is a unique sight not only for Greece but for Europe in
general. In the two photos you can see all three species which
reside in this forest forming the second largest population in
Europe. We were both lucky and unlucky during our visit to this
forest. Lucky because it was a rainy day so the temperature was
relatively low and the vultures were still feeding (normally they
don't show up during the hot hours of the day). On the other hand,
we were unlucky because of the haze caused by the evaporating water,
which made a "crisp" shot impossible. For your information, those
shots were taken from the bird observatory which was located 600 m
away so as not to disturb the birds. Those cropped images were the
best we came out with. The reason these pictures are shown here is
because of their rarity and not their technical perfection.
Photos by John G. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: AF
VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED @ 400 mm
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/350 sec, f6.7 Aperture priority
Flash: None
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject
more "visible".
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Evros delta Capturing the
beauty and activity that goes on in the Evros Delta in any kind of photo is impossible. This
photo merely shows you the water lands, the place where so many species
live their lives in peace. Being there is an unforgettable experience.
Photo by
Christine J. Hatzidakis
Shooting data:
Camera:
Nikon
Coolpix 5700
Lens:
fixed zoom lens @ 8.9mm
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 1/752 sec @ f/5,
Aperture priority mode
Flash: None
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted,
Smart sharpening added and
resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest
are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more
"visible".
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Crested caracara (Polyborus
plancus)
We spent a
nice day with the family at the Antwerp Zoo where we saw a lot
of amazing animals. This Caracara looked very impressive and was
very cooperative as it didn't move. Actually I should have spent
some more time on composition and I should have used a larger
aperture, but the family was moving fast forward, so I had to
move too!
Photo by
Frank Panis
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60sec - f/8
Flash: SB-800 I-TTL
Image: NEF, converted in
NC4.3.1 cropped, resized, sharpened and saved.
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Feeding
the lions (Panthera leo)
Are you also
familiar with the "lazy lions disappointment" every time you visit a
zoo? Most of the times they're just lying there with their eyes half
closed and only moving their ears while they neglect all the
visitors that pass in front of their cages. This summer we visited a
local zoo, and yes, the lions were lying there all lethargically as
usual. However I noticed a board with the feeding hour so I decided
that I would be there at that very moment...At feeding hour many
visitors gathered around the cage to watch the "show", but the lions
didn't bother at all. Then the meat arrived and all the lions
suddendly woke up. Then I only realized what powerful, muscular and
dangerous animals they are. The lions nervously ran up and down the
feeding spot to be the first in line. I was surprised too see that
the female attendant threw the meat over the fence, most probably
because it added to the spectacle. One by one the lions got
their chunk and ran off to a safer spot to eat the meat.
Photo by
Frank Panis
Shooting Data:
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/1250sec - f/3.5
Flash: none
Image: NEF, converted in NC4.3.1, cropped, levels, resized,
sharpened and saved.
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African bat?
In the Antwerp zoo there is a nocturama
where several night animals live. Among them are these African bats
who have a very spacious room especially decorated for them. When we
were there they were very active, so I couldn't resist of
taking some photo's of them with flash. Most probably I should
punished for that, but luckily the bats weren't scared at all. Due
to the fast descision of photographing them I forgot to adjust the
camera shooting parameters for this situation though! More DOF would
obviously be welcome here!
Photos by Frank Panis
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO400
Shutter speed: 1/60 f4
Flash:SB-800 I-TTL
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon Capture editor, cropped, USM 65/5/4,
saved.
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Chrysolophus pictus (common name:
Pheasant - Golden)
One of the most colorful and impressive pheasants you can
find, this is the real king of the show. The golden top and neck with
the dark red on the chest create a magnificent combination, which
reminds me of the Pharaohs. As with all animals, a close up shot which
will reveal those details and color hues is not easy, not even in the
confinements of a large cage. However, "who dares wins", so, after a
number of visits at the zoo, I found this gentleman at the front of his
cage, proudly guarding his kingdom. I was sure that if I approached
directly, the bird would rush to the back of the cage and I would have
to forget my shot. Thus, I just got several meters away and then
approached it on my knees, one meter at a time. The bird was more
curious than frightened so it stayed there. I got two shots at very
close distance (less than 1 meter) before it left. In order to get this
kind of detail you must use fill in flash. Relying on natural light will
usually create dark areas with no detail.
Photo
by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera:
Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron
SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and
resized. Photo taken at the
Attica Zoological Park |
Many thanks are due to Mrs. Eva Stets for the correct
identification of the birds
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