Missouri photographer Chad Davis, blog

Pursuit of Bald Eagles

Chad Davis — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:29:35 +0000

In that last post I talked about the photographic opportunities in the local parks of Florida. My next visit would be the pursuit of the Bald Eagles in Washington State.

First let me say, it’s really not difficult to find Bald Eagles to photograph. You can even find them in Florida. You just have to know where to look. You ask why Bald Eagles. Well, I have always loved this graceful and majestic bird. They just seem to fly with ease. There feathers on the end of their wings curl as they pump their wings for lift. You know when your in their presence when they speak. It’s a distinctive sound. Their fiscal appearance demands your attention. On top of all that it’s the national bird of the United States, so why not.

Washington State is a beautiful part of the country. I have written extensively on Washington and I like to visit when I can. Besides it’s beauty, it’s easy for me to visit because I have family there. This allows me to cut cost. When you don’t have family to stay with, you make due or find another way to cut your expenses. I wanted to expand my library of landscapes and this was to be my main goal. The best times to photograph landscapes are often during the early morning or late afternoon. During the mid day I will look for other opportunities to photograph, such as birds, elk, or deer along with other species of animals. In the area I was of Port Angeles and Sequim the weather is often overcast which makes it easy for photographing the wildlife without harsh shadows. I’d rather have a slight overcast day, but not such an overcast that it blocks out the brilliance of what the sun has to offer. You desire quality light and not dull light. I was actually hoping for a little snow storm. A heavy snow covered Fur tree would have made for beautiful photo’s. It would be my luck that it never snowed while up there on this trip. Arriving back home I found out that it snowed the next day. No such luck for me!

One day the clouds were just too heavy to be photographing landscapes. So, I set off to find some Bald Eagles. I kept looking for areas that might photograph well for landscapes when the weather was little better. You never know if the weather will shift for the better and keeping your options open is something you just have to do. I like to photograph birds doing some type of activity to give the photo’s character. A bird staring at the open sky can be boring if there isn’t something else to give character to the image. Intense colors, a sparkle in the eye can help, but often it’s not enough. My intent was to capture a photo or two swooping down for fish in the rivers in the area. I found it difficult to find a location where they might be feeding. Sometimes those pictures are just luck.

I knew of a place down the road from where I was staying that took care of Bald Eagles called the Northwest Raptor Center. The Center is a non profit organization with the goals to rescue and rehabilitate and release wildlife. It’s run by volunteers and the very dedicated lady by the name of Jaye who will gladly take donations that will benefit the Center and it’s inhabitance. Injured Bald Eagles and other raptors that need rehabilitation can be found here, but a few other species of animals are there as well. I had been there before to observe the Bald Eagles up close. I didn’t really want to photograph them there, just gather a little information about them. The Northwest Raptor Center has a website for more information and you can make donations if you wish as well. Link here: Northwest Raptor Center. You can also find it on the featured link area of the blog. Information on the subject your wanting to photograph is key if your going to have any luck at all in capturing a beautiful shots. Doing a little research will pay off in the end.

Most Bald Eagle prefer a habitat around the seacoast, rivers and large lakes with an abundance of fish. This wasn’t going to be a problem being that I was on the West coast and within a couple miles of the Strait of Juan De Fuca. I figured I would find a few Bald Eagles on my search for them and I was right. I visited the Dungenese Recreational area located along the coast of the Straights. Gathering my gear I headed that way. In deed I found them, but they were busy flying pretty far above and none that were perched in trees for easy access from roads. I needed an Eagle a little closer in range of my longest lens. So, thinking of a few other places that might be a better to photograph them. I knew of place called the Olympic Game Farm. It’s a small drive threw zoo in Sequim. I was not thinking I could photograph Bald Eagles in the Olympic Game Farm. What I was thinking was that the Game Farm sits below a cliff area with tall trees overlooking several acres of farm land and a river goes along the farm as well. The perfect area for Bald Eagles. The Game Farm was just a location that I had knowledge of. I drove to the area and positive I would see a few in this area. I drove up a hill and around the back side of the farm. There was back road to another farm that went just to the side of the Game Farm of the main road. This road sits right next to these tall trees with limbs bent over, perfect for eagles looking to perch. Plus it was pretty high up. One tree alone had over five Eagles perched overlooking the hole area. I counted over 20 eagles in the area. That was pretty good count. It was perfect for photographing. Some of the juvenile Bald Eagles were a little paranoid and flew off to the next tree over, but the adults were not afraid of me. They aloud me to photograph them for several hours. I spent most of my day patiently waiting for them to fly off or come back with something. It was beautiful opportunity and I took my time photographing these majestic raptors. I never did get the shot that I wanted. I guess it wasn’t my day, but none the less they did grace me with a few beautiful shot of them. Despite my patients waiting for them along the river I never saw them along the river. They spent most of their day perched in those trees. They would come and go, flying off to survey the area returning to the same area time after time.

Florida Opportunities at the Local Parks

Chad Davis — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:52:55 +0000

Well, I said there would be second post on the Florida Opportunities subject. I’m keeping my promise. So let me start.

In the prior post I stated that I searched for a couple hours for the wildlife in the parks. There are more then a few in Florida. Some you have to pay and others you do not. You can guess that ones you have to pay to get in would have plenty of wildlife to photograph. That’s not always the case. I have payed plenty to photograph the animals in Sea World and have come out with very little quality shots. That’s not to say that you can’t get some good shots, but you don’t get the type of shots that say wildlife. You get the shots that say wildlife in captivity.I prefer to photograph animals in there natural environment. When money is tight and you can’t afford the safari to Africa or what have you, then parks are the next best thing. I personaly like to visit local parks that wildlife tend to hang out in. Wildlife refuges are a good place to check out as well.

My visits to local parks in Florida entailed Sea World, community parks and one camping park. The Camping park I had to pay to get in. It didn’t cost much, but hey I thought there would be few possibilities. So I went ahead and payed the money. It included a large lake which usually invites the wild birds and a few alligators if your lucky.

I once tried to photograph an alligator up close. He was pretty small, but when I tried to approach he split in about two seconds. With his small size of 3 1/2 feet long, he was probably more scared of me then I was of him.

I parked my car and grabbed my bag and strap my lucky camera around my neck and made way to the water front. At first glance I wasn’t very impressed. I couldn’t see much in the way of wildlife. The only wildlife I saw was a fish on the end of a little boys fishing pole. Right away, I new what the problem was. The family with the little boy! Most waterfowl are going to keep there distance from people. So I decide I would see if there were any opportunities around the dock area. Sometimes the bigger birds will see if they can snatch a snack or two from people fishing and such. There was no such luck. I looked off into the distance an took a few shots of the area for reference and to capture something pleasing. Often when the wildlife are not around I will see what possibilities lye with scenery. It was big lake, and I thought surely there would be wildlife somewhere around the area. I continued my hunt walking the shoreline of the lake. I finally came across some White Ibis foraging for food in shallows of the lake. About seven in all. My plan was simple get within range and snap off a few shots while they were foraging. Hoping to catch one with something in his beak with water dripping at the end. Those crazy birds had there beaks underneath water more then anything. I guess they couldn’t find much in the way to nibble on because they searched for sometime finding very little except for a little moss here and there. I managed to only capture one shot of one with something in his mouth. The lightning was all wrong so it was a loss. I however did manage to capture a nice liking of one. Normally I try not to disturb the wildlife, but this time. I had to make them a little nervous so they would bring there heads up out of the water to get a nice portrait of one. There a crazy looking bird, long curved and pink beaks. A Full body of white feathers and blue eyes. I spent the better of two hours just watching them along the shoreline. Sometimes you just have to be patient. Often the lightning would be just terrible and I would have to wait until they went to a new area. After catching a hundred shots or more I decided that it was time to go.

I stopped off at another park to see if there was anything of interest. That park was limited, very limited in fact. Don’t ask me what the name of the park was because often I just come upon them going to one location or another. Just driving around or exploring is the best way to see wildlife. You never know what you will see. It was late in the day and it was wearing on me. Not seeing much. I headed out of the small park when I looked up to see an Osprey nest on the wooden electrical pole with an Osprey perched just to the left of the nest. He was pretty high up and it wasn’t the best place to photograph this majestic looking avian. A small pool of water was near by. The possibilities of it having much in the way of fish was pretty slim. If there were any, I’m sure this bird and already picked it clean. My decision to leave was based on that assumption alone. Catching a nice shot of him there was pretty unlikely. My day was pretty uneventful. If there was a good shot in the bunch, it lied with the White Ibis birds. I headed back to base for the remainder of the day.

Here are couple shots from that day of shooting. One you may have seen on the front page of the site already.

The next post will be on the pursuit of the natinal bird, the Bald Eagle in Washington state.

The lake

White Ibis of Florida

Florida Opportunities at the Rookery

Chad Davis — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:45:35 +0000

Hey Everyone,

Well, I’m back from the west coast. Actually I have been back for sometime, I just haven’t been able to get around to writing anything in the blog. I truly apologize for that. Even know I have been back for sometime I have been working pretty hard catching up with business, editing and analyzing all the pictures that I took from Florida and Washington. I have plenty of new photos up on the website. More on that a little later.

I wanted to talk a little about the places I visited in Florida and Washington. My trip to Florida involved more then taking nature pictures. My visit to the warm southern state of Florida was actually for a wedding. Since I would be down that way I would make the best of my off time while there. When I was done working I would be able to photograph the wildlife, my true passion. So with the little time I had left on this trip, I visited a couple local parks and because of the time of year. I would visit a well known place called “Gatorland”. If you have never been there and you might plan a trip to Orlando, look them up. You can find out more information about them here. www.gatorland.com . It’s a pretty neat place and the opportunities for photographing wildlife are abundant during certain times of the year. You can buy special package to be allowed in Gatorland early and late in the day when the lighting is at it’s best. Of course your always assured of photographing the abundant reptiles on exhibit. I spent more time photographing the wildlife flying above or roosting on nest then the Crocodiles and Alligators in the area, which is what the topic of this post will be.

When I first arrived, within an hour I had spotted an Osprey hovering above the palm trees. He was a good distance from my long telephoto lens. I never bothered with him except to keep an eye on what he was up to every fifteen minutes or so. So, my main concentration was the Osprey from the start, but I also would not throw away any opportunity if it came along. Often that would happen, but I would still have that beautiful Osprey in the back of my head wondering what he was up to. Every time I was distracted I would find him again hoping he was still in the area. Sure enough he would be. There was a fellow photographer there from Austria. The gentlemen and I would spend more time walking along the rookery waiting and photographing the area talking shop. Late in the evening we watched the Osprey I had been watching earlier perched in a tree. The day was growing long so we decided to watch this beautiful bird for awhile. Waiting for the right moment we positioned ourselves in an open area along the walk way for him to take off from his perch. After a couple hours he finally flew off. We managed to get a few shots of him, but nothing really to brag about. Thinking the opportunity was a bust, we photographed a few White egrets flying about. At that time I was still interested in the Osprey, wondering where flew off too. He was more impressive to me and I had been watching him all day. I didn’t want to be defeated. I invested a lot time in this bird. I walked a little way from the spot I had chosen earlier when all the sudden out of the corner of my eye. I spotted him flying toward us with something grasped in his claws. I couldn’t make it out, but I was almost positive it was a fish. I just had to capture him with that fish. The question was, “Where was he going with his meal”. We didn’t know, but I wanted to be ready if he got in range of my camera. Sure enough he flew around these two trees planning a landing. At least that is what I was hoping for. I was ready and managed to capture a series of shots of him with the fish grasped in his claws and wings wide open en between those two trees. Only one of these shots was the one. So you see, I really waited all day to get the one shot that made the hole day worth while. The result of that long wait was beautiful. You might have seen it already on the front page of the site.

Osprey with Fish

Also If you wish to purchase this image click this link below.

http://www.crphotocare.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewImage=3865

The Gatorland visit was one day only, but I would have loved to come back a second day and maybe a third. To get some of these great shots, I spent most of the time at the rookery of Gatorland. This time of the year the birds are building nest and mating. I happen to be a little early when I visited. The time to be there would be late January and February and into March. The birds would be many, that catching a great shot would be guaranteed if you have the patients.

My visits to the local parks. I spent hours just searching for the wildlife to photograph. In deed I found them but getting something beautiful was all together a different story. On the next blog posting I will talk about the visit to the local parks. With that I leave you with a shot of an alligator coming in for a closer look and a link to the newest photos on the website. http://www.crphotocare.com/photocart/index.php?do=photocart&viewGallery=1005

Florida visit to the rookery,

Chad Davis — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:08:25 +0000

Well, I have managed to make it back from my trip to Florida. Spent some time photographing birds mostly. It sure is beautiful down there this time of year. I didn’t have much time to photograph being that I was really down there for business photographing a wedding. I normally don’t travel such distances to photograph weddings, but this happen to be a special occasion. My niece was getting married and I told her that I would shoot her wedding.

What time I did have to myself I managed to check out the all famous Gatorland USA as well as take in a few shows at Sea World. I took a few pictures here and there. More pictures at Gatorland USA rookery were taken then anywhere else. Here is there link if you get a chance to visit. http://www.gatorland.com The best times to visit are April to March. Most birds have been migrating south and you will find plenty in December and January down in Florida, but it really gets to hoping in March. Lot’s of birds to photograph and plenty of gators too. I wasn’t all that impressed with them. Perhaps because they spent more time just lying around while I was there. Not to say the opportunities were not there, just not at that time. Gatorland does have some new admission prices just for photographers that include access before opening and after closing hours. You would guess right, that yes they are well fed, but I really went there just because I was limited on the time and I would be assured of seeing plenty to photograph with the time I had left. I was most impressed with the two Osprey that had been hanging around the area. I managed to capture a few images of one them with a fish in it’s claws. There was also a Bald eagle that came around for a bit. He didn’t stick around very long though. I haven’t finished editing all the images therefor I apologize for not having anything to show you in this post. Please return though because I will post some images from this trip.

I have been updating the site and uploading images from prior shoots after returning from my journey to Florida. I somehow ended up with a cold and I have been fighting that little virus for a couple days now. Hopefully I will win that battle. I have updated some images in the portfolio section of the website because I really needed to add something new there. This month has been a little busy for me and it’s not over yet. I have plans to leave on the 27th of this month for the Washington to photograph the cold wilderness for a few projects I have planned, so bare with me. I plan on posting plenty of images as well add some new work to the Studio Gallery for sale upon returning from that trip. I might do some posting while up there too. So, maybe before I get back from there.

That’s all I have for now so have a good one and I hope you will return.

Chad

I finally made it there.

Chad Davis — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:53:36 +0000

Well, for weeks I have been trying to get up to Squaw Creek with little success. Finally I made up there this last Monday. I planned on arriving before sunrises. I looked on the internet to find out what time the sun would be showing itself in the morning and I set my alarm clock. I managed to wake up in plenty of time. I actually woke up before the alarm even went off. I’m not much for morning person, but when it comes to photographing. It doesn’t take much and I’m out the door. I looked at the weather the night before and I new a storm was going to be rolling in. I just hoped that it would arrive later rather then sooner. So with that in mind I was set to go. I drove the 100 miles to arrive just before sunrise.

When I stopped inside the sanctuary and looked up, I wasn’t at all impressed. There was plenty of birds to photograph. That wasn’t much of problem. The problem lied with the overcast sky. A little to much for me, and I was afraid the storm was moving little faster then anticipated. I sweated it out and looked for a few beautiful scenes to photograph. After all I drove a 100 miles and I was intent on taking a picture of something. I didn’t happen to see much of interest. It just wasn’t my day I guess. Of what little I did manage to capture, I thought these two were the best of what I got. With a little warmer morning I think the potential for some beautiful shots would have been there. These photographs look more impressive if enlarged. Fortunately, having to make these files small doesn’t do them justices.

Just a short note.

Chad Davis — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:03:03 +0000

For those of you who have subscribed to my blog. First let me say, welcome. Glad to have you here. I often invite and continue to encourage individuals who wish to respond to what I have written or would like to write something of there own to do so. Questions, opinions, places to see or to photograph. It’s all welcomed as long as it’s not mean spirited or pertains to porn, spam etc. If we can get something going that would benefit whoever would visit the site. Who knows, expanding the blog into a forum could be the next step. Any takers?

So, if you want to write something, feel free. If you want to respond to something I have written please feel free to do so. If your not sure how. Just click on the “Title” of the writing to respond. There will be a place to write something at the end of the page to write to your hearts content. Please understand that your post will not automatically be posted. I have to deal with spam on occasion, so I like to see the post before being approved to keep the spammers from posting stuff that obviously doesn’t have anything to do with what I or you would like to say.

Everyone hates spam. It’s bad enough that we have to deal with it in the snail mail along with email, plus the obnoxious pop up adds on websites. Yes, I know. They have browser that have popup blockers. The crazy addvertising people always find a way to circumvent the technology though. It’s only a matter of time. So, welcome and I look forward to reading what you have to say.

Take care.

A Holiday note.

Chad — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:16:24 +0000

With Thanksgiving out of the way. Everyone is in the Christmas mode it seems. I personally am not sure that I am ready for Christmas. Of course it’s a wonderful holiday and I enjoy it every year. However it is rough on some. I think this holiday season will be rougher this year then in the past for many. I can’t imagine what the days would be like if you didn’t have family around to toss a few cookies at, perhaps a hug or two. That being said, I hope everyone who has the means will visit with family and have a wonderful Christmas.

On with a little news…I have a few plans for this holiday. I’m heading to Florida, not for a vacation, but for work. I have a wedding to shoot on the beach. This wedding happens to be on December 31, New Years eve no less. Should be interesting. I will have to post a few shots from the wedding when I get back. I’m sure by that time everyone would like a little warmth to get them threw the cold spells. I will have little time to take care of business and that comes first of course. In late January my plans shift to the West Coast for some winter shots. I hoping to fulfill a few lucky shot of some winter scenes to post and for stock. The mountains are gorgeous this time of year. Perhaps a pretty cold in parts, but beautiful pictures don’t come without a little work. Keeping the photo stock up can be pretty time consuming. In fact I have been trying to get up to Squaw Creek, hear in Missouri for the last few weeks. I have been pretty busy with other things and have been unable to get up that way. You do what you can. Sometimes you come up short. Again I have made plans for sometime next week to go. I’m just not sure which day yet, so with a little hope and planning I will make it there. If you have interest and would like to tag along. Give me a ring or shoot me an email. Maybe we can make a day of it.

Here are a couple images taken last year to get you in the mood for Christmas.

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Chad — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:05:12 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to post something short here. Much has changed on the website. A complete redesign of the back end. The cart itself has changed the most. If you click on the “Online Store“, you will notice the change there. Take a look around. Slide shows and different options are available to everyone.

Leaving you with that tid bit of info. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. I’m sure most of us are wishing the retail stores and business were not in such a rush to get to Christmas. It’s seems they want to skip Thanksgiving all together. It’s a bit sad really. Anyways, have a good one. Here is a little something to look at.

Leafs of Fall

That time of Year.

Chad — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:54:43 +0000

Well, it’s that time of year again. The leafs are falling, changing colors from green to colors of red, yellow and brown. I love this time of year. I planned on photographing this seasons colors at Squaw Creek. Somehow I just didn’t get the time. To many projects going and not enough time in the day to accomplish them all. As I have mention before in earlier post I have been working on a book. It’s finally done and currently being printed. I also have plans to have it available for purchase in book form and in Portable Document Form (PDF). The pdf will hopefully be available next month for download. Currently in the works is a Calendar for the 2009 year. That will be available for purchase as well.

Now I did manage to take a few beautiful shots this season. So be sure to check those out in the Studio Section http://www.crphotocare.com/photocart/index.php?category=101. For this Christmas season order anything over $100 and shipping is free. Take a look around there might be something you would love to have. Limited signed editions, framing with select designs are available.

For now, enjoy a recent image from this years shoots.

Leafy colors

Halloween Special

Chad — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:11:41 +0000

It’s that time of year all the little trick or treaters will be dressed as ghost, goblins, and all sorts of comic heros. Have your children photographed in their outfits or have a family portrait done for the month of October.

Halloween Special, only $80 and receive
1 -8×10
2 - 5×7
24 - wallets
Receive a 10% discount on additional prints.
Contact us today to book your Halloween portrait.