Managed this shot of a buck at Lemoines Point Conservation Area as the sun was rising. Set my metering to Partial-Spot on the animal and presto!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Snowy Owl at sunrise.
And so this has to be one of the most beautiful birds I've yet to photograph, truly magnificent!
I'm looking forward to seeing a bit of snow to challenge my composition skills!
(Prints may be purchased at http://fineartamerica.com/featured/snowy-owl-at-sunrise-michel-soucy.html )
Monday, December 19, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
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Think this will remain to be a memorable image for some time to come. About 250 feet away at the top of a tree, this female is searching for an early morning feed. Exposing for good detail in it's white feathers will be an important consideration and challenge, especially when the snow arrives.
Stay tuned!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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Finally, my first Snowy!
I have been looking for this opportunity for the last 2 winters...what an amazing bird.
Too bad I didn't take the time to expose properly for the sun side of the bird to get better detail....but next time. :)
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
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Bald Eagle on the cliffs of Cape Breton. Taken two years ago on my first summer visit to the area. This was when I knew I'd be moving there someday.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Pileated Woodpecker
I saw this Pileated at an undisclosed Kingston area golf course and managed to get a couple of shots off just as it started to rain.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
2012 Calendar
Now available and going fast, a collection of some of my favorite bird photos in a 2012 Calendar for $20.00 each + 2.00 shipping. If in the Kingston area, I'll deliver for free. :)
Printed on Glossy stock, they make great gift idea's for the bird or nature enthusiast!
Send check or Money Order to:
Michel Soucy,
976 Killarney Crescent,
Kingston, Ontario, Canada,
K7M 8C7
Interac email transfers also available: send to: 2michelsoucy@gmail.com
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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This was one of a pair sitting in a juniper pine. I simply pulled up under the tree as I began to shoot with the 400 sitting on my car window. I was ignored as they continued to prune them selves.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
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It seems that every week or so I discover a new subject to cover. The last few days have brought me to the world of the Warbler. Talk about different varieties! Then there's the spring, summer and fall plumages...out come the books, and the cries for help to ID some of these.
But what fun! And that, is what photography should be. If you're not enjoying being behind the lens anymore, perhaps it's time to discover new subject matter?
Enjoy! :)
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
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And so, for the 3rd time, this little Grey Tree Frog has found it's way back under the cover of our hot tub. Well, the free ride is over, tub is now drained ready for the buyer tomorrow night.
I chased him out, but went to the neighbors yard, and 1/2 hour later he's back on top of the fence waiting for an opportunity to hop back in. Of course, I coaxed it to sit for a portrait before I evicted the little thing, once again.
For the moment, it remains nameless....any suggestions?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
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Had a report of a Bald Eagle on this tree (not the first time). Many will mistake the osprey for an Eagle (from a distance) because of the white portion of the head feathers, and the size.
Of course I had to check it out due to the fact this tree will hold eagles through the winter because of open water nearby.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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Le Conte's Sparrow is another one of those hard to photograph birds unless you have a long lens (the Canon ef 400L 5.6 was used here)...there are very skittish. What I find works well (and I'm sure this is no secret to the pro's) is to stay put long enough for the birds to fly back for some decent shots.
These are also 100% crops.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
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Redtail Hawk perched in a tree on a sunny afternoon near RMC, Kingston, Ont.
This was an unexpected treat. I had been looking for a doe and fawn, but stumbled across this wonderful find instead from the corner of my eye.
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Buck presents himself for a portrait.
I now have several locations in the Kingston area where I frequently can find wildlife. Areas can be from around the airport (Lemoines) to the area north and east of CFB Kingston. The waterfront also presents many small gems all within easy reach for a quick shoot early before work or on my lunch hour.
My hot-spot list continues to grow!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
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This young buck is enjoying a cool spot in the shade. Had to pump up the ISO for shutter speed...and still shooting at 1/20th...good & solid tripods are a good thing to have. :)
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Took my lunch at...of course, my very favorite place and I had the pleasure of this little visitor. It stayed long enough to get my tripod up and fire off 2 shots then promptly bounded off.
This was on a frequently used trail.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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Black Guillemot on a rock cliff with a recent catch. This photo was captured during a recent visit to Cheticamp.
Getting home I had to dig into the bird books trying to identify the different species encountered not found here in Kingston.
This Guillemot was one of them, I find their red feet to be quite comical!
Monday, July 11, 2011
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Had a great visit recently to Cheticamp on the Cape Breton island in Nova Scotia....simply stunning scenery!
Beach in petite Etang, just north of Cheticamp, on the Cape Breton Island.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Blue Heron keeps me company.
I'm very spoiled here in Kingston. I can choose any one of a number of locations to pull over for a quick bite and not be alone. On this day, I have a Crispy Chicken to wolf down during a 20 minute respite on my runs, and I have this Great Blue Heron standing on the end of a dock at a nearby canoe club.
Equipment used was my trusty Canon Ef 400mm 5.6L series lens on a 60D, tripod mounted. Image is a 100% crop.
Cheers!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
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Great Blue Heron takes off from it's perch once it saw our brigh yellow canoe approaching.
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Turkey Vulture spreading it's wings as we canoe past it. It seems that it does this to warm it's body before it flies.
My wife and I fianlly took the canoe out for the first time this summer. I brought two camera bodies (T1i & 60D) with my 400 and the 18-85 IS 5.6, but the wrong size drybag for the bigger lens. The idea is to keep one body/lens in the drybag, secured to the canoe as I'm shooting with the other.
Should we capsize, I lose one and not both. The trick though, is to not capsize! :)
We have a 16' kevlar (Elite 16) from Scott's Canoe. Handling is really nice, weighs only 48lbs which makes handling really nice and easy when I go solo.
I find that a monopod is easier to handle than a tripod from inside the canoe, reaction time is a bit slower though, don't want to start the canoe rocking...been there before. :)
We hope to get out some more this summer and do some exploring.
Cheers!
Monday, June 13, 2011
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On a recent visit to Bluffers Park in Scarborough, had a chance to see this Northern Mockingbird.
As with most...this was shot on a tripod.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Immature Red Wing Blackbird
This immature Red Wing Blackbird found in the cat-tails waiting for a parent to show up.
Friday, May 27, 2011
New storefront for Prints and Greeting Cards!
Hi everyone,
I've a new storefront for prints and Greet Cards with great prices!
Greeting Cards start at $4.55 each, a pack of 10 for for $2.70ea, or a pack of 25 for $2.25 each!
Prints can be bought framed or unframed. Drop in for a visit!
I've a new storefront for prints and Greet Cards with great prices!
Greeting Cards start at $4.55 each, a pack of 10 for for $2.70ea, or a pack of 25 for $2.25 each!
Prints can be bought framed or unframed. Drop in for a visit!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Rose Breasted Grosbeak and Baltimore Orioles
Lemoines Point Conservation Area in Kingston rarely fails...this Grosbeak was photographed on my lunch hour just before it started to rain. I had a choice of three of these birds to shoot, then was spoiled by Baltimore Orioles before I had to head back to work. Both were taken on Canon 60D with the EF 400 5.6L series lens on a tripod.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Savannah Sparrow.
This is a good example of the benefits of being up with the sun. The lighting quality within the 1st 2 hours is, simply put, magical. The birds have been active long before the sun breaks the horizion, but those first rays of sunlight really bring them to life!
Knowing that this small country road see's very little vehicular traffic, I'm comfortable when I arrive to my spot, to pull over onto the shoulder, and turn off the ignition. Then, I roll down both front widows 3/4, leaving enough to sit my 400mm on for support. The rest is to just be patient, and be ready...they'll come on a fence, bush, or rest on one of the fence posts and invite me to take a few shots.
Then it's off to work...I do need my day job! :)
Cheers everyone!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tulip...
These tupilps were taken on the side of our house mid afternoon. The light was filtering through a nearby bush, hence the light streaks on the cement wall behind the flower.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS REBEL T1i set on Shutter priority using an EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. The exposure was taken at 53 mm for 1/750 sec at ƒ / 8.0 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Florals...
The time is here for the flowers! Florals can be exciting, the colors, shapes, lines, curves, and experimenting with wonky compositions!
Friday, May 6, 2011
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These Cormorants were a real treat to shoot. I'm aware they they're not welcomed by a lot of folks, but for a photographer, they can be quite comical (and colorful).
The early sunlight worked really well to bring out their bills and turquoise colored eyes.
These were shot with straight 400mm, I'll start working my Kenko Pro 1.4tc next time I get out for a bit more range for close-ups.
Cheers!
(c) Copyright Michel (Mike) Soucy.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/750 sec at ƒ / 8.0 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
THATAWAY!!
Double Crested Cormorants on a dock. The sunlight was absolutely terrific at this time of day and made for some great captures.
All of these we're taken on tripod.
(c) Copyright Michel (Mike) Soucy.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/1000 sec at ƒ / 6.7 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
All of these we're taken on tripod.
(c) Copyright Michel (Mike) Soucy.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/1000 sec at ƒ / 6.7 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Heron Portrait.
Another fine morning with great lighting along the St. Lawrence brought new images of herons, geese, and cormorants.
This EF400mm 5.6L series lens rocks!
Early morning portrait of a Great Blue Heron.
(c) Copyright Michel (Mike) Soucy.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/2000 sec at ƒ / 5.6 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Male Red Wing Blackbird.
What a morning it was!
With a coffee in the car, I head for a spot I had started to frequent spot on the St. Lawrence. It's truly an ideal spot for a quick "drive-by" shoot.
It's close to water with surrounding marshes and plenty of sunrising light. I'll check the sky from my livingroom window before the sun has risen and if the skies are clear, I head out to greet the sun with a newly formatted SD card.
Once I'm there, I pull over, turn the car off, grab the cameras, turn them on, pop off the lens cap, extend the hood on the 400mil, roll my window down for support, and wait and watch. One thing I need to do is get a bean-bag support for the window mounted 400.
It wasn't long before the Red-Wings strated made their way to the cat-tails 15' from the car...and I start firing rapid series of shots.
I can tell when the bird is about to sing, as they start to expand their chest with the wings slightly spread. I need to overexpose (starting at +1/2 stop) to get the detail in the black feathers.
Driving into work shortly afterwards it hard to contain my excitement, cause I knew I had captured some great shots.
Until next time...
Happy shutterbugging!
(c) Copyright Michel (Mike) Soucy.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/250 sec at ƒ / 5.6 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Female Red Wing Blackbird.
Well, another morning along the St. Lawrence waterfront brought some great photo ops with the Red-Wing Blackbirds.
Of special interest were the females, which, don't seem to make themselves as visible as the males.
Using my trusty 400 5.6L, I shot this from the car as they were greeting the early sun.
My hard-drive is quickly filling up, the 500gb will soon have to move up to a 1TB!
Have a great weekend folks!
Friday, April 22, 2011
1000 Islands...
And a shot of the 1000 Islander III moored in Ivy Lea. This photo was taken minutes before sunrise with absolute calm water.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS REBEL T1i set on Aperture priority using an EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM lens. The exposure was taken at 41 mm for 1/8 sec at ƒ / 22 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 400.
Tipped at sunrise.
Low water levels or a leak causing this boat to lean? As we were driving along the Parkway, this boat was spotted in the water. With the sun behind it, it made an attractive photo opp. Sun has just risen but had not yet peeked over the tree line introducing some really nice warm lighting.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/3000 sec at ƒ / 6.7 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 800.
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/3000 sec at ƒ / 6.7 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 800.
Hitting the road early.
Before getting to bed I checked what the forecast was looking like for this morning, hoping for clear skies...and was rewarded with just that, we'll be up early for some sunrise shots.
My wife and I left the house at 5:20am, got a coffee and bagel, and headed for Gananoque, figuring to find a spot on or near the water west of the Ivy Lea bridge where I sometimes fish.
The fog was thick in some spots. I was quickly filing in my memory bank new spots for future shoots as we drove along. :)
Setting up was simple. Tripod, camera was my T1i, with a 17-85 mounted and pointing east as I composed my shot.
I didn't want the direct sun, but looking for color and reflections. I had only minutes to get what I wanted. We left this spot only minutes later, the sun was high above the horizon as we turned onto the parkway, searching for other opportunities with the early light. Didn't take long!
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/500 sec at ƒ / 9.5 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 800.
My wife and I left the house at 5:20am, got a coffee and bagel, and headed for Gananoque, figuring to find a spot on or near the water west of the Ivy Lea bridge where I sometimes fish.
The fog was thick in some spots. I was quickly filing in my memory bank new spots for future shoots as we drove along. :)
Setting up was simple. Tripod, camera was my T1i, with a 17-85 mounted and pointing east as I composed my shot.
I didn't want the direct sun, but looking for color and reflections. I had only minutes to get what I wanted. We left this spot only minutes later, the sun was high above the horizon as we turned onto the parkway, searching for other opportunities with the early light. Didn't take long!
Shot taken with a Canon EOS 60D set on Aperture priority using an EF400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The exposure was taken at 400 mm for 1/500 sec at ƒ / 9.5 using digital film with a speed rating of ISO 800.
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