michael_hancock

Paul - I was there in mid-February last year, and I agree that March will likely be too late. When I was there, many of the cranes had already left, and continued to leave during my stay. However, there were still very impresive numbers of cranes for me to see and photograph, as well as an amazing variety of other birds and wildlife, so February should be still be a great time to visit.

Here are some good ones: Paul Caponigro, John Sexton, Brett Weston, Huntington Witherill, Eliot Porter (yup, Eliot Porter),

Roman Loranc, Chip Hooper, Ryuijie, Alan Ross, Brad Cole, Sally Gall, Michael Kenna, Chris Rainier, Michael A. Smith, Clyde Butcher, Henry Gilpin, John Wimberley, David Fokos, to name a few.

Of course Shun is correct - but, I regularly backpack with non-photographers, and although it takes away from some of the social aspects of backpacking with friends, it is possible to do some serious photography on these trips. Most of the hiking is done during the middle of the day, when the light is not as good anyway. So, while others are cooking eggs and waking up, I'm out shooting. And while the others are relaxing in the late afternoon around the new camp, I'm out shooting. Yes, you will miss a lot of shots along the trail, you'll eat Poptarts instead of eggs, your supper might be late, and your pack will weight the most, but you can photograph with all your gear at a reasonable pace. Just a thought...

I'm not playing by the rules either, but I would do one of the following:

 

1) Not bother, 2) Get a point and shoot digital, 3) Get a image stabilizer lens and shoot Fuji or Kodak 100 speed film.

 

In reality, I would lug the tripod. But I have had a lot good luck with option #3, so if forced to leave the tripod, that would be my choice.

There's nothing of any interested to photographers in Newfoundland. Don't bother going there, I tell you! I heard there was a very unique place called Antelope Canyon out West. I don't believe it's been photographed much - go there instead!

Bill and Robert - Thanks for you help. I'm looking forward to the trip!

Banff and Jasper have spectacular landscapes, and even better wildlife opportunities than Yellowstone. However, the Olympic peninsular is a magical place - very unique in the world. A difficult choice - but you can't go wrong either way.

Does anybody have any experience photographing in northern New Mexico

and Arizona in February. I'm thinking about going in mid-February,

possibly visiting Taos, Bandelier NM, Canyon de Chelly, and possibly

Monument Valley. I realize that it will be cold and snowy, but will I

have any major problems with travel through these areas? Is a 4-wheel

drive recommended. Also, will guides be available in Canyon de Chelly

and Monument Valley?

 

Thanks for any advice!

More information is always helpful, but for the money, I don't think it matters what you subject interest is - Alan's suggestion is tough to beat. I've used that set up with a 400mm lens and lots of fast action, as well as landscapes. If you are shooting a 500mm or 600mm prime lens, I agree that more is needed. But then again, if you are using one of those lenses, I don't think you would be asking the forum what tripod to buy, or limiting yourself to $200. Good luck

Paul - Just on the northern border of Lakeland is the Green Swamp - hundreds of square miles of cypress swamp. It's right in Lakeland's backyard! Access points include large portions of preserved land owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, several county parks, or the Withlacoochee State Forest. No need to drive very far at all. Check the Water Management's District's website for online information, including maps and trail descriptions. Feel free to email with any questions.

David - If I'm not mistaken, Freeman Patterson lives in New Brunswick, in a town which may be close to St. John, New Brunswick (very confusing - St. John, New Brunswick vs St. Johns, Newfoundland).

Patrick - You and I were in the Smokies at the same time (although I stayed through the following Friday. The rest of the week was very nice, although the conditions during the time you were there were the best (rainy days in the Smokies is the time to photograph)!

 

This is a annual trip for me, although I usually go in late April. Wildflowers were gone, but we caught the mountain laurel by the end of the week. Still very green though.

 

I spent all my time in the northern end of the park (Tremont, Roaring Fork, Little River Road, one day in Cades Cove). The difference between the river flow from Sunday to Friday was dramatic - very noticably less flow by Friday. I was pursuing mostly landscapes, and was very happy with what I got.

 

Glad you enjoyed your trip - the Smokies never get tired for me!

Martin - Two others that come to mind immediately are Gary Braasch and Tom Blagden.

Dotty, Michael M. - You both have legitimate concerns, and on many we agree, but of course, the only way anything will change is if more people with your concerns join and push for change. Actually, even if you don't join, writing NANPA and expressing your reasons for not joining may also be powerful.

 

NANPA should not be another Sierra Club, Wilderness Society, or Nature Conservancy. We already have those organizations (several of which I am much more active in than NANPA). NANPA could support such organizations, and support natural preservation in general, but it needs to be from the perspective of photographers.

 

I do agree that its appropriate for NANPA to encourage ethics and speak out about incidents such as the topic of this thread. Unfortunately, few have the courage to do so.

 

As some one sort of said - "Ask not what NANPA can do for you - ask what you can do as part of NANPA". If you feel that you can accomplish more with other conservation organizations, then maybe there is little need for NANPA.

While I understand people's concerns about NANPA, it should be realized that NANPA, and any other organization, is what it members decide it will be. If people feel it should be more active in issues, then why not join and help steer the ship?

Chuck - Two of the best bird photography locations in Florida are located to the south of where you will be - Honeymoon Island State Recreational Area (north of Clearwater), and Fort Desoto Park (south of St. Pete). If this is not too far for you, let me know and I'll give you some details.

Michael - Corkscrew can be a great place to photograph, especially if you get there when they first open. You'll have the place to yourself for a while. Remember, Corkscrew, like many Florida bird locations, can be hit or miss. One day poor, one day great. One hour poor, the next hour great. So be patient and observant.

 

There is a lot of new development surround Corkscrew, so there may be some closer new hotels. There is a Comfort Inn in Naples on I75 at the last exit heading south before you hit the toll booths for Alligator Alley. Its the closest I know of, and I've stayed there many times when photographing at Corkscrew. Good luck.

 

Mike

Ed - I live in Pasco Co. also. One of the areas I've had the best luck with BCNHs locally is at Lettuce Lake Park, along the boardwalk. Early morning is a good time. I know of other areas to see them, but not in areas where they are easily photographed. In S. Florida, Corkscrew and Ding Darling are always good.

Beata - Some of my favorite areas for shooting common birds of prey in FL:

 

Hawks - Payhayokee area of Everglades NP, Turner Road in Big Cypress NP, Ding Darling WR - red-shoulder, red-tailed, potential short-tailed.

Osprey - Honeymoon Island (Pinellas Co.) or Ding Darling WR.

Burrowing Owl - Cape Coral

Barred Owl - Corkscrew

 

Any particular species, or info on above, please feel free to email.

Beata - There are plenty of birds to photograph in south Florida in December. Many prefer the period of January through April for bird photography because wading birds are in peak breeding plumage and peak nesting occurs, water levels are generally at their lowest (so birds tend to congregate in smaller areas), and the weather is optimal. In late-March through April, migrant songbirds are passing through as well.

 

However, November/December can also be a great time to photograph birds. I have had some of my most productive and enjoyable outings during this period, often because crowds are way down, and there are still plenty of birds (including hawks).

 

So, if you will be in Florida in December anyway, photography can be excellent. If you have a choice, and don't mind the crowds, January through April can be spectacular, but other times are still very good.

Kim's advise is not bad. Before spending big money on a macro lens, you can get a set of extension tubes and/or a high quality diopter for the 100-400 IS. The diopter might work better, since you lose no light. A Nikon diopter is about $45, and will work on any brand lens. The Canon diopters are a bit more. A set of Kenko extension tubes are about $100, and can be used on any lens.

 

The Canon 180 is a great lens, but expensive. My macro set-up consists of extension tubes with a Canon 100-300 zoom, or my Canon 100mm macro (old version). Neither is ideal for me. The 100-300 is nice since it allows for zooming to frame the image rather than moving the tripod, but since there is no tripod collar on the lens, its unstable (Why doesn't Canon make the equivelent of Nikon's PN-11, with tripod collar???). The 100mm macro is very sharp, but the working distance for macro is too close, and the background aren't blown out enough for my tastes without great effort.

 

Your 100-400 might be much better, since it has the tripod collar, provides greater working distance, has zoom and IS, and you already own it. I am considering buying a 300mm IS for macro use since it will be great for macro and for general telephoto uses.

 

Good luck!

Scott - My advice is based on a trip last year to the Vancouver/Vancouver Island area. We spent many days on the island, mostly in Tofino. Its beautiful, but to try to do it in one day would be very unproductive (photographically). You will spend all day driving.

 

A more practical alternative may be to spend your time north of Vancouver, driving up to the Whistler/Garibaldi Area. A much shorter drive, and plenty of opportunities. Getting out into Garabaldi Provencial Park (even on dirt roads) can be great, and we got some great images in an old-growth cedar forest just north of the ski area. Once you get north of Whistler, its wide open mountainous country - fantastic. The drive to Whistler along Hobe Sound is impressive too. Good luck.

Actually, November can be a great time to visit ENP. True, wading birds are less concentrated as compared to Jan-March, but there are more migrant birds and others, and still usually plenty of waders. I make a trip on Thanksgiving weekend every year (from central FL), and its often my most productive trip.

 

To me, a big plus of shooting in November is that I don't have hoards of photographers in workshops hitting me in the head with their big glass everywhere I go! In November, its much quieter, and still great shooting and bird watching. Scenics are great too.

 

Unfortunately, a car is needed. I also recommend a visit to Shark Valley in November, but the anywhere along Flamingo Road (including Royal Palm to Flamingo) can be very good.

 

Good luck.

I'm a Canon user, but I've heard many Nikon users talk about the Tokina 400mm lens (including Moose Peterson - you might check his site).

 

Whether 400mm is enough of a lens for your seabird photography depends on how close you will be to the birds, and the specifics of the situation. Where specifically are you going?

Tom - A few trails come to mind. The trail from the Logan's Pass visitor's center to the Hidden Lake overlook is very moderate. Beautiful scenery and often many mountain goats and mule deer. Around sunset is a good time (less people, more animals, nice light).

 

In Banff, the trail up Johnston Canyon is a nice walk. Dramatic waterfalls and canyon views. Birdlife is interesting here. The trail is adjacent to the Johnston Canyon resort (Not a bad place to stay - very moderate price). Trails around Vermillion Lakes are also very easy and worthwhile, especially around sunrise and sunset. By the way, Banff and Jasper have very early sunrises and late sunsets, so if you try for both, you won't get much sleep!

 

The trail to Peyto Lake is also moderate, and well worth a walk.

 

In Jasper, I highly recommend the road to Maligne Lake, especially near sunset. This is a wildlife hotspot, and the scenery is terrific. One of my favorite areas is Medicine Lake.

 

In Banff and Jasper NP, wildlife and amazing scenery is everywhere, so the opportunity for pulling off the road and walking down easy roadside trails is high.

 

 

Enjoy your trip!