It Used To Be Dark!

52Frames - Week 42 - On The Ground!

EC: Use A Macro Lens

Every time I get my hair cut, the pile gets lighter and lighter.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro @ f2.2 | 1/120 | 2.22mm (24mm equiv) | ISO 250

Photographed 10/17/24

A Rare Occurrence

52Frames - Week 41 - Panorama

Earlier this month the Chicago area was graced with an occurrence of the northern lights. It was a clear night so I went out to shoot star trails since the forecast was only a 10% chance of being able to see the aurora.

I got lucky with both! This photo is a 5 shot panorama merged in Lightroom. The star trails + aurora photo was posted earlier on my blog at https://jeffm211-p52.blogspot.com/2024/10/good-fortune.html.

Sony A7IV @ f2.8 | 5 x 1.6" | 28mm | ISO 1600

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A067

Photographed 10/11/24

Stroll

52Frames - Week 40 - A Quiet Moment

EC: Golden Ratio

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Libertyville, IL

During the week, this is an especially peaceful place for a stroll.

Sony A7IV @ f6.3 | 1/400 | 111mm | ISO 250

Tamron E 28-200mm F2.8-5.6 A071

Photographed 10/2/24

No Kleenex

52Frames - Week 39 - Mode of Transportation

Independence Grove Forest Preserve

Libertyville, IL

Rarely do I have Kleenex when using this mode of transportation.  The glove works.

Sony A7IV @ f8 | 1/400 | 232mm | ISO 250

Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067

Photographed 9/23/24

Three Birds

I'm by no stretch a birder or bird photographer.  However, I did manage to capture photos of a few birds on the Africa trip.  Below are my three favorites.  In retrospect, the timing of these photos being captured is interesting.  The first one was shot during the first hour of the first game drive, before any significant animal sightings.  The last photo was captured on our last game drive, after spending a week experiencing amazing animal sightings.  Needless to say, my focus was not birds during that intervening period.

These are the last of my initial Africa postings.  Going through the remaining photos and creating a book lies ahead.  

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

Saw this guy on our first game drive...and many more throughout subsequent drives.

Sony A7IV @ f6.3 | 1/250 | 273mm | ISO 1000

Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067


Photographed 9/14/24

Gray Go-Away Bird

Another common bird which we saw and heard often.  The unique characteristic of this bird is their call which sounded like they were saying "go away"; hence the name.

Sony A7IV @ f6.3 | 1/1000 | 400mm | ISO 250

Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067


Photographed 9/14/24

Lilac-Breasted Roller

ID'd by our guide as a Lilac-breasted Roller, probably the most photographed bird in South Africa.  Not being a birder, this is the only one I saw and was fortunate to capture this photo on our last game drive.


Sony A7IV @ f7.1 | 1/640 | 400mm | ISO 250

Tamron E 50-400mm F4.5-6.3 A067


Photographed 9/19/24