Monthly Archives: October 2015

Osprey – An Awesome Nature Moment

Sometimes nature just provides an awesome moment that reminds me just how small we are in this big universe and how important it is to live in the state of awareness. I was lucky to spot this Osprey perched on a piling one evening right around dinner time. He has visited before but never with a big fish. It was truly awesome to observe and listen for awhile as I took a few snaps and did a lot of admiring.  This awesome nature moment  got me wondering about this Osprey and the life it lived.

“Dinner Guest”

osprey with fish on pilingFacts About Ospreys

The Osprey live on the water or very close by so they have access to fishing.

They are great anglers and can catch fish up to three or four times a day.

They live approximately 20 years and their wingspan is often five to six foot.

Female Osprey are slightly larger than males.

They  migrate as individuals from areas in the north to South America every year during the winter months.

In the spring, on their northern migration, they return to same nest and the same Osprey mate. They mate for life to breed.

Once they leave the nest for migration, they leave their chicks behind and will never see them again.

You can see their large nest made of sticks on high poles, often electrical poles.

Although Osprey were not impacted by the pesticide toxins of the 1950s and 60s, they do experience quite a bit of danger during their long migration from north to south and vice versa. They have to fish along the way and if weather is treacherous they can be blown off course causing great delays and possible navigation issues.

Now that you know some facts about Ospreys, I hope you are lucky to have some awesome nature moments.

Thanks for visiting and more of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com.

Abstract Photography Techniques

Here lately I have been experimenting quite a bite with abstract photography techniques to create a new series of prints. I am fortunate to live in a beautiful place surrounded by water and I wanted to create a series of images that capture the beauty and tranquility of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. There is also a certain amount of uniformity and monotony in the landscape of a state that is at sea level, however, I have notice the water color changes throughout the day as the sun progress through the sky and the color of light changes. It is very interesting to observe and has provided me with a new appreciation for where I live. Using the motion or swipe abstract photography technique, I have been experimenting with capturing the varying colors and consistent vertical and horizontal colors.

This abstract photography technique requires a very slow shutter speed and smooth movement of the camera along a vertical or horizontal plane. Since I am capturing so many horizon lines, I typically shoot on a mono-pod or tripod. If you are not using either, keep your arms tucked in close to your body to provide stability for your camera. Your shutter speed must be slow, typically around 1/10 to 1/20 of a second. I generally use a small aperture to help achieve a slow shutter speed. On some images I have also used a polarizing filter to reduce exposure. Start moving your camera at a slow, but even pace and click the shutter. The important part is to click the shutter after you have started moving.  This abstract photography technique will require a certain amount of experimentation on your part to find the right aperture and shutter speed that works with your subject, but that is all part of the fun.

Here are a couple of examples:

Title: “Seaside”

Abstract Photography Example

abstract photography

Title: “Gulf Waters”

Abstract Photography

The full collection of my water images can be viewed here.

We all love to go somewhere new to become inspired and create new work. Fortunately, I have found being creative with abstract photography techniques has provided the perfect tool to become excited once again with the place I live.

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be viewed on susanmcanany.com or at my Etsy Store.