Yesterday I was really jealous of my hubby because he came home with awesome photos he had taken of a big snapping turtle at the side of the road laying her eggs. He always manages to see some type of wildlife when he is on the road for work, while I never see anything! Last night we were sitting on the deck after dinner, and Mike of course started bragging about his wonderful turtle pictures LOL. Not about to be outdone, I suggested that we pack up our cameras and go for a drive. It was a beautiful, warm Friday night, and there are many backroads to explore in a rural area like ours. We love to just hop in the car, pick a direction, and drive. Sometimes when we stop we both take pictures, while other times Mike will fish while I snap away with my camera.
We didn’t have much luck with wildlife last night unfortunately, but I took tons of photos of the scenery around us, and I started to really experiment with my new camera. All of you amazing photographers out there who have been giving me advice over the last few months will be happy to know that I used my tripod the whole time, and I even managed to get up the guts to take my camera off auto mode. I saw a little babbling brook and slowed down the shutter speed so the water looked all dreamy, and I played with the aperture priority mode taking photos of some irises growing at the side of the road.
Although not the best of my photos by any means, I am starting out with this shot because of its uniqueness. We spend a lot of time in a swampy area that is actually like a bird conservation area, and being a swamp there were a lot of dead, skeletal trees. As the sun was going down, I noticed a bird sitting on top of a lone dead tree in the middle of the swamp, and I snapped a few pictures which turned the bird and tree into a silhouette. It’s so simple, yet it really appeals to me. I hope you like it too! Stay tuned over the next few days for more results from our explorations.
photos from the loonybin 
Love it! I’m a sucker for a good silhouette picture. 🙂
Me too :). This one has such a dreamlike quality to it don’t you think?
Definitely. I wonder what that birds thinking about. Is he pondering the meanings of life? Or just thinking about worms? Teehee 🙂
If they are anything like people, I guess it depends on whether it is a male or female. If it’s a male, he will be simply thinking about worms, but if it’s a female she is contemplating the meaning of life. LOL!!! Oh, I’m probably going to get into trouble for that comment, aren’t I? 🙂
Glad to hear you are breaking out of your comfort zone Cindy!!! Looking forward to your pics & progress!! Love the photo btw!!! 🙂 **
Thanks Xandre :). I’m determined to experiment more – it’s just a slow process because my spare time is limited. If only I had more time, I would read books and take courses, and I’d be a pro in no time :).
On the question of what the bird is thinking about? if it’s a male..probably where are all the females at? It’s what we do!
LOL!!!!!! That is too funny and so true. I live in a house full of males and they all definitely have one track minds. They admit it too, just like you! 🙂
So interesting – like it is the only tree available for miles and miles and that bird badly needed a rest and took the only the thing it could find. Am I giving this thing too much though? It’s a thought provoking photo. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, and no I don’t think you’re giving it too much thought. I love your imagination :).
I LOVE this!!!!! Alone in the world…a bird and the sky 🙂
Thank you! Hey, maybe you could write one of your stories about this birdy :).
LOL!!!! I think I need to study this image and “get into his head”…..hmmmmmmm
I know you can do it :).
awesome picture and great job taking the steps to experiment. remember there are no right and wrongs in art just what you like always shoot for yourself first.
I never considered myself artistic, but I always liked the fact that there were really no rights or wrongs in art. That’s why I’m so glad I found photography because now I know I really do have an artistic side that I can experiment with :).
well we’re all enjoying your experimentation
Why thank you sir!! 🙂
Love the photograph! I also love skeletal trees, as you know, and this one has such beautiful colours.
Thank you so much :). I agree there is something so beautiful about dead, skeletal trees that I always need to capture.
Great photo!
Once you get used to aperture priority you’ll love it. Since I’m 99% tripod, AV, in combination with exposure compensation, is pretty much all I use. I’ll let you in on a secret too, full manual isn’t all that scary either 😉
One step at a time Jeff, one step at a time LOL :).
At the rate you’re going, you’ll be there in no time 😉
Aww, thanks Jeff 🙂