Often asked why I continue year after year, the challenge of gleaning more images, I thought I would get all vulnerable for a few minutes, bare my soul, and divulge the big secret. So, for the “sensitive types”, read no further, go hug your mommy, play with your teddy bear, go suck your lollypop or something.
Do I do it because I am jealous that you got a better picture than me? Good for you, go pound salt – glad you got a good one, now let me go find mine. Am I competitive – I don’t care about yours, it’s mine that I am trying to better. So yes, I am competitive, but it is entirely self-related. Do I need more Snowy Owl pictures? Yes dad blame it – even though I already have 50,000 in the archives (a word that I detest, but that’s another rant), there is still that one elusive image I require. In a nut shell, I continue because I can…
So let’s discuss toys. I don’t own an ATV (too damn loud in the bush), don’t own a jet plane (prefer to shoot from the ground), don’t own a condo in Old Folksville, Florida, (too far from the birds), don’t own a Sea Doo (camera gear gets too wet), don’t vacation in Cuba (the friggin cigars stink and Castro is still at the helm), instead I indulge myself with the best in camera gear (speaking of which, I think I will sack the next camera club sissy that cries “no fair”). Here is the reality – if you are focally challenged, get closer to the subject (case in point: most of my raptors are shot with a 300mm lens). Does one need a 47 gazillion mega-friggin pixel body if posting on the net? Any point and shoot will do. I buy the best because I am an equipment junkie and don’t have a lot of other toys (apart from Angelina and the Ram). In a nutshell, stop whining about your equipment, buy some camo and go practice the art of patience and stealth.
This brings me to the subject of settings (birds in flight). Shoot at the highest ISO required for the situation, shoot one or two stops above the lenses minimum aperture, use the highest shutter speed possible. Now send me $29.95 for that on-line workshop (cash and small unmarked bills please. Americans add 1% because your dollar sucks right now).
In case you think photography is all fun and games, its not. I have been verbally crucified by tree-hugging dickweeds, accosted by equipment challenged sissies, chased by the Ministry of Natural Resources Robo-cop wannabee units, had snakes crawl up my pant legs, got my arse bitten by snapping turtles, eaten by blood sucking ticks and mosquitoes, the list is long… and Angelina is still putting on weight.
Finally, there is the aspect of processing (on which I will elaborate more eloquently and at great length in a future posting). Suffice it to say, given the perils I face on a daily basis and the number of new images acquired, processing is time consuming. As the above image demonstrates, most nights I pass out over the computer keyboard, often awakening to “how the heck did I do that” images… zzzzzzzzzzformatformatformatzzzz
Tags: Owl “Snowy Owl” “owl flight” bif “bird autumn “nature Niagara” “birds Canada” nature images” Ontario” Ontario Canada Niagara“ Earl Reinink “Earl Reinink” photography” photography photographer photographer” image images “fine art” art Flikr Nikon “Nikon D4” D4 lens” lenses” Flickr ontbirds asleep creative
© All Rights Reserved
The thing one may notice about this image is the fact that its’ January and this bird is either very brave or stupid since it has not gone south. Or perhaps, faced with the daunting prospect of entertaining doddering old fools in Oldfolksville, Florida, this individual in obvious defiance of the Laws of Nature has decided to stay the winter. In any event, it is obvious that this individual has authority issues.
God in His wisdom gave us ten Commandments, figuring that this was enough and any more would only confuse us (as evidenced by the number of truly stupid people in this world.. but I digress). Man in his arrogance has decided that God’s work was incomplete, and has subsequently come up with several thousand more laws. Don’t speed, don’t walk, don’t stop, stop here, stop now, wear your seat belt, don’t pee in the school yard, take your false teeth out when you sleep…. The list goes on.
This Heron in obvious defiance of the posted sign has decided that this was in fact a good spot to fish. With his obvious lack of regard for the law, it is doubtful that he has the “Outdoor” card required by all Canadian citizens (fifty bucks), nor the “fishing licensce” (another forty or fify bucks) which would give him fishing privileges. Darn, I wonder if he in fact is a Canadian citizen (in which case he would need his birth certificate, passport, health card, driver’s or flying license, social insurance number…
Fortunately for said individual, el Robocop Ministry Dude was not around to ticket him.
Tags: Heron nature Niagara” “birds Canada” “nature images” Ontario” Ontario Canada Niagara“ Earl Reinink “Earl Reinink” photography” photography photographer photographer” image images “fine art” art Flikr Nikon “Nikon D4” D4 lens” lenses” Flickr ontbirds
© All Rights Reserved
I understand that in life crap happens. I also understand that fishermen have every right to practice their sport as do hunters and photographers. Being an anti-tree hugger, I have no problem with hunters and fishermen killing for human consumption, and will be the first to admit that I thoroughly enjoy a slab of salmon or steak (damn, think I might put one on tonight). However I am totally against killing and maiming for pleasure. Recently in Canada, the Ministry in its wisdom opened up sport hunting for Mourning Doves. Well Mr. Dickweed Ministry Dude, what friggin practical purpose does that serve? First of all, they are not a pest, secondly one would need a wheel barrow full just to have a decent meal. Duhhh.. But, I digress.
While photographing Bonaparte’s the other day, I notice a couple of jerks (they appeared to be in their late teens) deliberately trying to catch a Gull. Bonaparte Gulls tend to congregate in large flocks, hovering over schools of minnows in the river, diving when opportunity presents itself. These dumb dickheads were deliberately casting into the middle of this group of gulls with the intent of nailing one. Well dumbass, congratulations – you were successful. It was painful to watch these idiots try to real in the flying gull. When I expressed the opinion that I would enjoy dragging them behind a boat as shark bait, I was told to F-Off. Now I am a dude of some stature, so when I stood up and started heading over, they promptly cut the line and quickly F__ed off themselves. Total pussies.
I wonder how tough they will be when the law comes a calling (I have their plate number).
Tags: gull Gull in flight lure fishing lure Bonaparte's Gull EArl Reinink Earl Reinink flickr tangled 20131023-0111
© All Rights Reserved
The gods of science, ensconced in their simulated leather Lazyboys have decided that “Global Warming” is a serious threat to planet earth. Dire predictions about the rise in temperature, rising sea levels, a probable expansion of subtropical deserts blah blah blah has mankind cringing in anxiety. Well Mr. Science God, here’s some advice for you: get your lard butt out of your chair and look out the friggin window. Oh, and if you really believe the crap you spew, buy property two blocks from the ocean. If you are accurate, you may own waterfront property some day.
Me, I’m going to put on my Peter rabbit hat ( www.flickr.com/photos/earl_reinink/6639263481/in/photosof... ), don some camo and shoot some frozen ducks… Global warming – whatever…
Tags: winter snow Peter Rabbit goose Canada Goose Earl Reinink Earl Reinink nature Niagara Ontario Canada Flickr Nikon global warming
© All Rights Reserved
So, the question is: why did I post this pic? Quite frankly, I knew it would peave a lot of birders and tree huggers. Personally, I have been active in nature photography for 40 years (yeah that’s right, since I was two years old…) No one can question my love of photography, or my love of my nature subjects. Bottom line, I feed my friends, they reciprocate with trust and friendship, and let me take a pic or two (no friggin model release required either). Don’t agree? Keep it to yourself. Don’t like it, go pound salt. I will continue to feed. Got to run now, got a load of bird seed coming…
Oh, and many thanks to my friend Tim King for having the cajone's to take this image. www.flickr.com/photos/14108432@N08/
Tags: Earl Reinink Earl Reinink Algonquin Algonquin Provincial Park nature Nature Photography Flick Nikon Ontario Canada jay Gray Jay feeding baiting TRIDOUEDHA
© All Rights Reserved