Arthur Morris / Birds as Art
Bulletins and Notes Archive
Click any image to enlarge it
|
Bulletins and Notes Archive
|
BIRDS AS ART ON-LINE Bulletin #75 April 5, 2002
A FRIEND'S PHOTOGRAPHY
INTERESTING QUESTION
ROMA, TX PHOTO BLINDS AVAILABLE
Black-crested (Mexican) Titmouse, Roma,
TX
Canon D-30, 500mm f/4L IS Lens, 1.4X
teleconverter
A STUDENT'S PHOTOGRAPHY
A student
who has been photographing birds seriously for less than two
years joined us in Texas and had her first real chance to
try her hand at digital photography with the Canon EOS D- 30.
She has owned the Canon 500mm f/4 L IS lens for about a year
and used that lens only on our journey to the Rio Grande
Valley. As my photos are not back from the lab yet--I am
expecting them today--and many folks asked to see some of her
D-30 photos, it is her images that grace this bulletin. All of
the images here were darkened by adjusting levels in photo
shop and sharpened using unsharp mask. All of the files with
perfect histograms looked washed out (on my monitor).
Long-billed Thrasher, Roma, TX
Canon D-30, 500mm f/4L IS Lens, 1.4X
teleconverter
Subscriber Nigel Atherton asked,
"Could you please tell me roughly what percentage of good photos
you get out of a year's photography?
I responded: On average, I label
about half of the images that I make. That means that I
consider them saleable. As for the images that truly
thrill me, that percentage is far smaller. I would say
that on average I manage to make one "family jewel" quality
image about every five or ten rolls. On average, I select
(only) one out of every five or ten of those to be duped to 70mm
format. Do realize that all of the above are rough
estimates that may vary considerably over the course of
time. Most folks would be amazed at how really bad many of my
throw-aways are...
ROMA, TEXAS PHOTO BLINDS OPEN FOR
BUSINESS
Photographers visiting the Rio
Grande Valley this spring or next season (fall thru spring)
may wish to spend a day or two photographing at the two
spectacular photo blinds on Roel Ramirez' ranch in Roma,
Texas. April should find Green Jay, White-tipped Dove,
Long-billed Thrasher, Olive Sparrow, Golden-fronted
Woodpecker, Black-crested (Mexican) Titmouse, Audubon's
Oriole, Orange-Crowned Warbler, Phyrrhuloxia, Northern
Cardinal and fair numbers of migrants coming to the food and
water. We had a spectacular Nashville this March and last
April Painted Bunting visited on several occasions.
Additional species photographed on March's IPTs included
Hooded and Altamira Orioles, Vermillion Flycatcher, Couch's
Kingbird, Northern Mockingbird, Mourning Dove (including a
pair that posed side-by-side on a perch for ten minutes and
stole all our hearts), and dozens of White-crowned, Chipping,
and Lincoln's Sparrows.
The perches at the morning
blind have been carefully set up by yours truly so that each
provides a beautiful, soft background from virtually every
photography port (of which there are five). During the IPTs
that I ran in March--the afternoon blind--which was built only
this February, provided opportunities for photographing birds
bathing and drinking; few birds used the perches, but this
should change as this feeding station becomes more
established. Bathing and drinking species included
Olive, White-crowned, Chipping Sparrow, and Lincoln's,
Green-tailed Towhee, Long-billed Thrasher, Northern Cardinal,
and even a Greater Kiskadee. On most afternoons, a small
group of Chachalacas visited the afternoon blind.
One photographer: $125.00
per day.
Two photographers: $200.00
per day.
Three photographers: $250.00
per day
Four photographers:
$300.00 per day
Visiting photographers will
be asked to sign a release (rattlesnakes are seen
occasionally), and to bring a small bag of oranges and a
small jar of peanut butter. Roel provides several variety
of seeds. The halved oranges are placed on the perches and
the peanut butter is spread sparingly on the back of
selected logs and perches. Seed is placed in crevices in
various logs. It is best not to spread seed on the ground.
Visiting photographers are asked not to fiddle with the
perches at the morning blind, but may do so at the afternoon
blind. Roel reserves the right to place up to four
photographers in the blinds on any given day; rate
adjustment refunds will be made accordingly. Photographers
wishing to ensure that they have the blind to themselves
will be required to pay the four person rate.
Interested photographers may
contact Roel Ramirez as follows:
home/evenings: 956-849-1777
Rio Grande City, TX 78582
The Roma Inn (956-849-3755)
is less than 20 minutes from Roel's ranch.
|
]
[
About Arthur
]
[ Photo-Tours
|
Books |
Photo Prints
]
[ Bulletin Archive
| FAQ
]
[
Accessories
|
Links ]
|
