Summer Fun with Birds at the Pond

 Spring Birding at Walker Lake

Late spring, close to the Summer Solstice is great for catching migratory birds at the pond in the afternoon.  They come in for a refreshing drink or a cool bath and when I set up the Nikon 500mm 4.0 in the shade, I can go unnoticed.  

A small Lesser Goldfinch, (4.5 inches 11cm) stops for a quick snack on the nearby Russian Sage.

 In the distance a couple of larger Western Kingbirds (8.3/4" 22 cm) stay close around the pond, waiting to catch any flying insects that come near.

Two Starlings make such a splash, I wonder if there will be any water left in the pond.

Young Barn Swallows spend all daylight hours training to dive bomb insects over the water. . .

Sometimes getting a little wet in the process and then having to dry off on the overhead wire.

A Collard Lizard moves in to sun and catch any bugs that happen by.

A female House Wren stops on last year's sunflower stalk, looking for insects to feed her young.

Not much better entertainment on a late spring afternoon than watching all the activity that a pond in the back yard can bring.  Most of all, the birds show their appreciation by posing for photographs.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Reno Open Studios Closing Reception

 Thanks to Truckee Meadows Community College and Candace Nicole 

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, the Truckee Meadows Community College hosted the Closing Reception for the Reno Open Studios Preview Exhibit.  The exhibit was a prelude to the art touring by the members of Reno Open Studios which will be in September on the 7th. through the 9th. where the individual artists open their studios for viewing and demonstrations to the public.   More information about this event with the Open Studios will be posted on a future blog.

A special thank you to Truckee Meadows Community College  Art Gallery Curator Candace Nicol for hosting the Reno Open Studios exhibit.  This was an outstanding opportunity for showcasing our art work, the presentation was excellent and the reception was most gracious.

 

Along with the open studios art tours, Reno Open Studios will be having a fund raiser by selling raffle tickets for art work donated by the members, the proceeds will go toward art scholarships.  More information will be available in the near future.

 http://www.tmcc.edu/vparts/artgalleries

www.RenoOpenStudios.com. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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The Story behind the Camera

 

 Snow Tree at La Madre Springs

During the month of June, 2012, Reno Open Studios is featuring a preview of the 2012 visual artists with an exhibit at the Truckee Meadows Community College Main Art Gallery beginning on June 1st, through June 25th.  The art work that I selected for the exhibit is entitled "Snow Tree at La Madre Springs".  Since I have been asked many times how I got this photo, I decided to give some background information in this blog post.

The weather always seems to take a turn for the worst over Thanksgiving weekend out here in the Southwestern U.S.  And this was sure the case when I happened upon the image that I named the Snow Tree at La Madre Springs.  I was living on the west side of Las Vegas which was just a quick drive from the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area when I noticed dark, moisture laden clouds moving in over the Spring Mountains.  I grabbed my camera gear and rushed out for possible photos. 

It had been snowing at the higher elevations of Red Rock Canyon and the patterns on the cacti made for nice macro photos. I was using a Nikon 50mm macro lens when I saw the outline of the bare trunk of an old dead piñon pine in the distance.  A number of factors were involved which forced my decision to take the landscape scene with the macro lens.  Heavy, dark clouds were moving in fast, it was snowing harder and I had wandered a good distance from my other camera gear in the Jeep.  Realizing that I had just seconds to capture the image, I clicked the shutter with an aperture of f/5.6.  I was allowed just two frames before it became so dark I could hardly find my way back to the safety of my vehicle. 

When the film was processed and I saw the one frame that turned out well, I was both delighted and surprised at the outcome.  The snow was accenting the outline of the tree and the shutter speed just happened to be fast enough to freeze the action of the falling snow but also create a blurred, Monet effect. 

For more information on Reno Open Studios Preview Exhibit:

 http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/06/tmcc-main-art-gallery-reception-for.html

"Snow Tree at La Madre Springs" is available for purchase, please visit my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/CUSTOM/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_10_11&products_id=85

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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TMCC Main Art Gallery Reception for Reno Open Studios

Meet the Artists at the Preview Exhibit

The art season in Reno is just about ready to move in to high gear and to kick start the events Reno Open Studios is featuring a preview of the 2012 visual artists with an exhibit at the Truckee Meadows Community College Main Art Gallery beginning on June 1st, through June 25th.  There will be an open reception on June 20th. from 5 to 8 p.m.  Everyone is invited!

"Snow Tree at La Madre Springs" is my selection for the exhibit at the TMCC Main Art Gallery:  The 18"X24" limited edition Ilford Colorluxe Photographic Print is framed with Fleckstone finish, picture quality glass, multi-layer matte, gray suede wrap, and wood fillet.  Asking price as shown, $775.00. 

Reno Open Studios, aligned with Art Touring,  is comprised of the top visual artists from Northwestern Nevada who open their studios on September 7-9th to the public for demonstrations and educational opportunities about their various creative processes, including ceramics, glass blowing, gourd art, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, weaving, and wood turning.  The most exciting part is that original art is available for purchase right from each individual artist. 

Along with promoting the artists, Reno Open Studios also provides a college scholarship through a raffle of donated original art works by the 45 participating artists.  More information will be posted featuring my donated photograph with additional information in a later blog. 

For additional information on Reno Open Studios:

 www.RenoOpenStudios.com. 

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Transit of Venus from Walker Lake, Nevada

Venus's Voyage Across the Sun 

After attempting to photograph the annular solar eclipse last month which was obstructed by cloud cover, I decided to prepare for the Venus Transit across the Sun on June 5, 2012 in hopes that the weather would be clear.

Upon gathering as much information as possible about the safety precautions for solar viewing and photography, I determined that the Baader AstroSolar™filter material from the Baader Planeatrium was the wisest choice.  The filter produced by Baader is not inexpensive with a 3.5 inch (9cm) sheet costing $15.00; however the double coated material is guaranteed free of pinholes and approved for eye safety by the National Bureau of Standards in Germany.  And when I am focusing on the sun through a long telephoto lens, the safety of my eyesight is of up most importance.  The other advantage for selecting the Baader AstroSolar™filter is that the sun appears in its true color which is neutral white.

Along with the filter material are directions on how to mount and create a light proof box for attachment to the camera lens. Initially, I was going to use a poster mailer for mounting the filter to the lens.

  

After the poster mailer was cut down to the recommended 2 inch (5cm) size, a decision was made instead to use a  card board box because the opening could be cut to fit snugly on to the Nikon 500mm camera lens. Then a 3.5 inch (9cm) circle was cut on both sides of a thick folded paper to sandwich the Baader AstroSolar™filter before it was taped to the lightproof box.  Extra care must be taken with the filter to prevent scratches and finger prints that can cause damage. 

 Using my lens hoods, I adapted two additional boxes for the filter to be used with my other Nikon lenses, the 35-70mm and the 80-200mm.

   

To reach as much distance as possible, I used my Nikon 500mm 4.0 lens and a 2Xteleconverter with the Baader AstroSolar™filter secured to the light proof box.  By taking some trial exposures of the sun, I determined that I would need a slower shutter speed of 1/125 second due to the filter and teleconverter cutting down on the amount of light reaching the camera sensor.

First contact--the dark disk of Venus appears to touch the Sun's outer edge on the ingress.

Second contact--Venus travels inside the Sun’s disk.

Venus travels almost midway across the Sun; the dark spots in the center of the Sun are sunspots.  Orange hue has been added in Lightroom for a more dramatic effect.

Venus is barely visible as the Sun drops behind the Wassuk Mountain at Walker Lake, Nevada.

For additional information:

 http://www.alpineastro.com/Solar_Observation/Solar_Observation.htm

http://www.optcorp.com/Manufacturer.aspx?mid=225&gclid=CIfd6t36ubACFQF6hwod2QMX8g

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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49th. International Photo Fair

The 49th. Foire Internationale de la Photo

 

The 49th. International Photo Fair is taking place this weekend, June 2--3 in Bièvres, France, approximately 12 miles south of Paris.  I am very fortunate to have a number of my Nevada photographs that were selected for exhibit and purchase at this year's 2012 event.  Included in the selected images are scenes unique to the Western United States of wild horses running free across the desert range and big full moons rising over mountain tops.  I will be sharing booth 48 with France's Abstract and Macro Photographer, Lyza Sahertian.

 

 

 

 

List of Exhibiting Photographers and Booth Assignment:

 http://www.foirephoto-bievre.com/index.php/visiteurs/liste-des-artistes

 The 49th. Foire Internationale de la Photo is known as "the Mecca of photography" since it draws thousands of professional and amateur camera enthusiasts from every continent who come together to spend two days in a friendly atmosphere to conduct business or to share their passion for photography.  Organized by the Photo Club de Paris Val de Bievre with the assistance of the City of Bièvres and the General Council of Essonne, the International Photo Fair is the largest of this type in Europe, offering over 300 stalls with lectures and events throughout the weekend. 

 

 

Selecting photographs for printing at the Négatif Plus 

 

 

Follow me on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150870768883730&set=a.264322058729.138971.263941603729&type=1&theater

For more information, please follow these links:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Foire-Photo-Bievres/316871653659


http://www.foirephoto-bievre.com/index.php


http://negatifplus.com/

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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