Sky
Algoma Sunrise Panorama
This is one of my earliest attempts to create a panoramic image by “stitching” together several individual photos. If I remember correctly, this is a combination of five photos.
The narrow format of this blog doesn’t offer the best view of wide images. This is one you’ll want to see larger. To do so, click on the image.
To see a variety of Pops Digital panoramas, look over our Panorama Gallery.
Gold Rush
On the Wing
These are Sand Hill Cranes that spent the night in the farm field across the road from our home. They are a very exotic and, unfortunately, elusive bird. I’ve not been able to get close enough to capture any decent pictures.
There were at least a dozen Sand Hill Cranes sharing the field with three or four times as many Canada Geese. I tried to slowly work my way toward them, but before I could get any worthwhile photos they took off. The only saving grace is that a few happened to fly by on their way to some other secluded spot.
Sand Hill Cranes are graceful and somewhat majestic in flight, with a wingspan of six to eight feet. They are also very noisy when flying. (They can be pretty noisy on the ground, too.) Their distinctive “call of the wild” has been described as a bugling or trumpeting sound. It’s very annoying, particularly early in the morning when you’re trying to sleep in. They can be heard long before they are seen.
To see a larger view of either image, simply click on it.
Cloudy Colored Water
On the road between Kewaunee and Algoma, you will pass through Alaska, WI. This small spot on the map has a nine-hole golf course and two small lakes – Alaska East and West.
This is an image from Alaska West. I stopped there last Saturday on my way from Kewaunee to Algoma. The clouds were somewhat expressive and I wondered if I could get a good reflection of them on the calm lake.
I posted a nearly identical black and white photo of the same scene a couple of days ago, titled Cloudy Water. My wife and I debated over which was the better image…b&w or color. I thought I’d settled on one but, as I compare them again while creating this post, I’m not so sure.
I’d be very interested to know what you think. So, take a look at both and tell me which one would get your vote. For a good view of the b&w version click on the small image to the right. It will open a new tab in your browser with the original post. Then you can easily go back and forth between the two tabs and compare.
Tell me which you like the best in the comment box below (on the color version).
To see a lager version of this image, click on it.
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Full Moon and Fireworks
The folks who attended the 2011 Kewaunee Trout Festival enjoyed two spectacular displays…the fireworks show and a full moon.
I positioned myself at nearly surface level with the Kewaunee harbor in order to capture the reflection off the water. I think the reflections are as appealing as any other part of the images. In fact, I’m considering combining a number of the firework reflections to create a colorful image of its own.
This was my first opportunity to capture fireworks with my Sony SLT-A55V. I wish the fireworks show was a few hours long, rather than a few minutes. I need that kind of time to really experiment with settings and angles, etc.
For my photography friends, here are some of the specifics… Of course, I had the camera on a tripod, had it in manual mode, on the “Bulb” setting and used a remote trigger…F/11.0, ISO 200, 13-seconds, 28.0 mm.
I’m pleased with a number of the images I captured and will be posting more, so check back. Or, better yet, just subscribe to the RSS Feed.
Both of these images (especially the smaller one) are better when bigger – so click them to see a larger view.
Sunrise Siren Call
I had plenty to accomplish this morning before going to work. My mind wasn’t on photography, but when I stepped out our back door (on my way to fill the bird feeders for the day) I was captivated by this amazing morning sky. I had stuff to do. I already have plenty of sunrises in my photo collection. (Just browse through this blog or type “sunrise” in the search box.) Still, I couldn’t help myself. I had to grab this image. This was a morning I wish I was at one of the nearby harbors – to catch the reflection off the water, too.
This is actually the compilation of seven separate photos “stitched” together. The blog page, because of its size limitations, doesn’t do it justice. If you click on the photo, you can see a larger version…but, in my opinion, it’s still too small to get anywhere close to the full effect.
Kewaunee Morning Glory
Sometimes being up before sunrise pays off. As evidence, I offer another image captured last Saturday morning (6/18/11).
This is a pre-sunrise view of the lighthouse and pier that extends into Lake Michigan at Kewaunee, WI. This was taken a little before 5 am. I was on the small beach just south of the pier.
If you find this image appealing, I encourage you to share it. Facebook users can simply click the button below. All comments are appreciated.
(Click the image to view a larger version.)
Fire in the Sky
This is one of my favorite photos, taken a few years ago with my Kodak EasyShare DX7590.
My wife and I had just settled in on the sofa to watch a DVD when I noticed some color in the sky out my living room window. I had to pause the video and run outside with my camera to capture a few frames of this beauty. A wider version from the same shoot is below.
About being left on the sofa in “pause” mode, my wife simply said, “I kinda thought this was going to happen.” She knows me well.
(For a larger view, click on either image.)
Fire Painted In the Sky
I’m always watching the sky. Here, in northeast Wisconsin, we seem to have the coolest sunrises and sunsets. This prime example dates back a few years; back to March of ’07.
My wife and I had just settled in on the sofa to watch a DVD when I noticed some color in the sky out my living room window. I had to pause the video and run outside with my camera to fill a few frames with this beauty. I remember being very excited about what I was seeing and hoping, beyond hope, that the camera would capture the shear glory of it. As you can see, I think my old Kodak Easyshare DX7590 did an exceptional job.
About being left on the sofa in “pause” mode, my wife simply said, “I kinda thought this was going to happen.” She knows me well.