Happenstances

I thoroughly enjoy life's happenstances. Unexpectedly I came across five red fox siblings. Smiley...came right up to me, yep I've begun the naming process. I plan to check back on them until they decide to go their separate ways. Until then look for image here to follow the "Fox" family!
I messed up quite a few shots before I captured these two. The morning light was changing fast and I was not in tune. Finally I got my act together and the results show. No matter how long or how many images you create you will miss some. At these times you must embrace the process and learn from your mistakes. 

Nikkor 70-200mm: F/8 @ 250

Nikkor 70-200mm F/8 @250 ISO:200

 

 

 

Lightning!

Last night as we traveled back home we were blessed with awesome light show. Lightning was ripping all over the sky. I knew I had to stop to try to capture the show. I have never made a serious attempt to photograph lightning. I did not have my full sized tripod but I did have a small light weight plastic tripod. So I set it up on the roof of our car. This shot was taken at ISO 800, F/9 at 13 seconds. The wind was gusty so the trees were swaying. I included the tree line for added interest and as a reference point. Not bad for my first real attempt. Remember to play it safe, the lightning here was well away from us with clear/partly cloudy skies above us. Still that is no measure of safety. Be careful when trying to capture lightning.

Lightning discharge rips across the night sky.

You only fail if you don't try!

Aurora Borealis

Yesterday I received an email alert from www.aurorawatch.ca telling me a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was heading towards earth. I decided to wait stay up late to watch for and photograph Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis. I was not disappointed. At times the lights were strong lit, as I stopped to set up for these shots the aurora was moving in waves across the night sky.
This was only the second time that I have tried to capture the aurora. I am still learning but was able to capture these images. Shooting at ISO's up to 1600, shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds at F3.5. I highly recommend giving this night photography a try!

Constellation Cassiopeia during an Aurora Borealis event.

The Big Dipper seen through a Aurora Borealis display.