Alligator River NWR in April Part 1

I’ve decided to bring back my blog, well, I may call it my field journal for now. I love sharing my images and stories on how I create my photographs. Lately, posting on my social media pages like Instagram and Facebook are getting annoying with their algorithms only allowing a few people to see my work, wanting me to pay to play so to speak. So I will start sharing more images here on my website, where people want to see my work, can. So without further ado…

Field Journal Entry #1 - April 28, 2024

This past April I set out on a scouting trip to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. I had a pretty great trip, so good that I decided to break it up into two posts. The morning started out with a red tailed hawk perched high up on a dead tree. While I’m out photographing I love to move around and explore the light around my subjects. We had a pretty decent sunrise which allowed for a few silhouettes portraits. I was able to drive right up to the tree it was perched on and got some more images while it preened, stretched it wings and well, lightened the load. :)

I also discovered a couple of barred owls hunting along the edge of the canal. This one was perched right out in the open, which made for nice portraits but I decided to shoot from a distance. Allowing my to incorporate some foreground elements, grass & tree limbs. In my opinion, it helped create a strong composition. Making it feel, at least for the viewer, that your are in the woods with the owl.

I hope you enjoyed the return of my blog and I will posted part 2 soon. Be sure to share with your friends! Also don’t be afraid to leave me a comment below. Which was your favorite photo?

Cheers,

Neil