David's Images of the Day Photoblog
Pair of Fawns Resting in the Shade to Escape the Heat. Backyard summer nature in New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D700 camera and 28-300 mm VR lens (ISO 800, 300 mm, f/5.6. 1/40 sec).
North American Gypsy Moth Caterpillars in a Silk Nest. Image taken with a Nikon D300 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8, 1/400 sec). Since the Gypsy Moths are so destructive, I removed and burned the nest right after taking the picture.
Lone Rabbit. Image taken with a Nikon D200 camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/10 sec). One of the very first images that that I took with a DSLR camera. Not a very good image, but it does show that the vibration reduction (VR) helps since this was hand-held with a relatively long (1/10 sec) exposure.
Today is my ten-year anniversary of using a DSLR camera. I have made many mistakes, and learned a lot since then. In ten years I have taken ~ 1.7 MM images. I save everything, and continually review the bad images and failed compositions to become a better photographer. Part of the reason I go back and review images taken on each day of the year. Initially, I only used Nikon DSLR cameras (D200, D300 (2x), D700, D800, D810a, D2xs (2x), D3 (2x), D3s, D3x, D4, and Df). More recently I have been using smaller mirrorless cameras Nikon (N1-V1, N1-V2, and N1-V3 (2x)), Leica (X1, X2, T (2x)), and Fuji (X-T1 (2x)). Of these, all still work except for the Nikon Df (shutter sleeves buckled while in Antarctica), and one of the Fuji X-T1 (water damage while visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe). Some of the cameras my brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces are using. I have also used a large collection of lenses (macro, prime, zoom, telephoto, perspective control, fish-eye).
For the initial trip across the US with the D200 camera I had the kit 18-70 mm lens and the 80-400 mm telephoto zoom lens. I didn’t know how to use the camera, and the manual wasn’t much help. Somehow, I got some great images during the trip and became hooked on photography as my new passion. I have always been the type of person that has to learn and become an expert of something new every few years. I’ve had many great mentors to guide me, and have been on many photo related trips. I’ve had cameras with me on every one of my Semester at Sea voyages, visiting over 50 countries. Now that I am retired from corporate America, I can spend my time with photography and travel. I probably am not going to buy new cameras and lenses as often – and believe that “the best camera is the one that is with you”.
Monarch Butterfly on a Thistle Bloom. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). I am amazed by the high resolution detail captured by this camera, down to the individual specks of dust or pollen on the wings of the butterfly.
Over the last two weeks I only saw three Monarch butterflies, and only got an image of one. Today, I saw at least ten and was very happy. In addition to the Monarch butterflies, I also saw many Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, Black Swallowtail butterflies (two or three varieties), Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies, Clearwing Moths (two varieties), Dragonflies, and Robber Flies. All in all the best day this season. I am going to be up late tonight processing more images…
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth Resting on a Leaf. Image taken with a Nikon D810a camera and 80-400 mm VRII lens (IS00, 400 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec). It is the Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe) since its legs are white. This is the first time I have ever seen one of these moths “at rest” and not flapping its wings.
