Slideshow from The Great American Outdoor Show 2016

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I created a slideshow with more of the photos I captured at The Great American Outdoor Show last week. You can view the photos here.

I hope you enjoy the photos. It really was a great event!

2016 Great American Outdoor Show

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I had the privilege of attending The Great American Outdoor Show this past week and it was awesome! This is the biggest sportsman’s show in the world and it lived up to the billing this year to be sure. I attended several instructive and informative seminars, watched the 3-D Archery Shoot, met four TV personalities, talked to several outfitters and guides, and visited booth after booth of hunting and fishing equipment. I have to say, my favorite booth soldĀ lightweight backpacking saws to carry for your camping, I bought several of them to gift to the family. Words do a poor job of describing the excitement and enthusiasm around this show, so I am hoping my photos will help. Here a few to whet your appetite. I will be posting a slideshow on my website with more photos and will post another blog with that link once it is ready. In the meantime, check out these photos and let me know if you attended the GAOS, too.

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Bassmaster Elite Series at Chesapeake Bay

The Bassmaster Elite Series was at Chesapeake Bay this past week and my son, James, and I had the privilege of being there to watch them on Friday. It was an exciting day from the “Blastoff” when all the anglers were announced one-by-one and went out to their first fishing spots. Conditions were tough for these professionals but fish were caught and the weigh-in was filled with excitement. The following photos captured of the action of the day:

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

 

Bassmasters Elite Series in Chesapeake Bay  on Friday, August 14, 2015.

Dinner Time!

Last month I was in Chincoteague, Virginia for some bird photography. I just love this place! There are lots of different species here and there are plenty of places to photograph them. I was a little rusty out of the gate the first morning and missed some nice birds. Patience and persistence paid off, however, and before long I found myself back in the swing of wildlife photography. I spent two days at Chincoteague and then spent part of a day in Assateague, hoping to get some wild pony photos. I did, but I was also surprised to see this lone Blue Heron fishing not far from the road. This was surprising to me because usually I see few birds at Assateague. This guy didn’t seem to mind me watching him trying to catch dinner.

It was mostly quiet–no cars, just a whole lot of wind! Still, this bird didn’t mind. With a hungry belly to feed it kept watching, waiting, stalking, and attacking the small fish in the vicinity. It was amazing to watch. The more time I spent observing and photographing this bird, the more I could anticipate when it would thrust its beak into the water after a fish. This watchful preparation helped enormously. Then with the jerk of its neck and a splash of water, the beak penetrated the water to snag some dinner. Amazing to watch and wonderful to photograph!

“Working the subject,” (which isn’t a phrase I actually like to use because how can this be work?) I saw more and more detail with each fish caught. Sometimes the little fish was caught well and it was a simple task for the bird to flip the fish from its beak into its throat. Other times, however, it was not a simple task. The fish was flopping dramatically and the bird had to figure a careful way not to lose this delicious bite. Catching the fish was only part of the process. Eating it could be a completely different matter.

Then there were those times when my camera and the eating bird seemed to sync together. I somehow managed to click the shutter release at just the right moment and everything was just perfect. The heron got its dinner and my camera captured the phenomenal moment! Isn’t it just great when everything comes together at dinner time?