Aug 23, 2021 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, American Pelican, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Soft Landing Gear down, flaps down, cleared to land. It’s a good landing if you can float away from it. The American Pelican’s nine foot wingspan looks pretty impressive when landing. They are truly majestic birds. Their bodies measure up to 5 feet in length, their bills can reach 14 inches, and their wing spans up to 9 feet. For more information about these magnificent birds, see American Pelicans 2019 | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story The pelicans don’t seem to mind humans around them as long as they keep their distance. Of course, a long lens is necessary. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Extended Walkabout |
| Location | Local Lake |
| Date/Time | 4/18/2020 5:38pm Local Time |
| Weather | Fair Windy | 59°F | Strong Wind Gusts |
| Method | Burst of clicks, handheld. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a Nikon FT-1 Adapter & Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
Exposure
| 300mm (810mm) f/5.6 1/2000s -0.33ev 900iso |
| Post | |
Aug 22, 2021 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge, People
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Remember Remember Coop by his high school graduation picture. In just a few short years, PFC Howard E. Cooper would become an American hero. For his actions while liberating the Philippines in WWII, he received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross, the 2nd highest U.S. medal for heroism. He was a good soldier and a good man as well as a good husband, father, and grandfather. For the whole story with more images, see PFC Cooper’s DSC | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story This image was captured with a simple handheld click from across a dimly lit room. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Thanksgiving Gathering |
| Location | Derek’s House |
| Date/Time | 11/28/2019 8:02pm Local Time |
| Weather | Cloudy | 36°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click, handheld. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens |
Exposure
| 71.6mm (193mm) f/5.6 1/25s -0.33ev 3200iso |
| Post | Reduced noise. |
Aug 21, 2021 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Leaves, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Red Symmetry The Maple leaf’s symmetry makes it an unmistakable symbol of strength and endurance. For more information and images, see Hunt for Red October Leaves | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story This image was captured with a simple click while on a lunch break walk. The 21mm extension tube helps the veins of this maple leaf at peak color to make a distinctive impression. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Daily Walkabout |
| Location | Northern Michigan |
| Date/Time | 10/18/2019 1:34pm Local Time |
| Weather | Mostly Cloudy | 54°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens and 21mm extension tube |
Exposure
| 110mm (297mm) f/8 1/500s -0.33ev 500iso |
| Post | Added a little definition on the leaf. |
Aug 20, 2021 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Eastern Kingbird, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Eastern Kingbird Male This male Kingbird is six to seven feet above the water and to the right of the nest; standing guard. If you get too close to the nest, he will start screeching and dive bombing you. This female Eastern Kingbird is nesting on a branch just a couple feet over the water. For more kayaking images, see Pleasant Lake Kayaking | a 7 Image Story.
The Back Story These images took several kayak passes before capturing decent shots. While kayaking toward the nest, you must stop paddling long before you get close to the nest. Then, let the kayak float toward the nest. But, it you get too close, the male stat dive bombing you. So, you must stop a god distance away, if you do not want to disturb the birds. Obviously, a long lens is called for. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Kayaking Pleasant Like |
| Location | Pleasant Lake Michigan |
| Date/Time | 6/28/2019 5:33pm Local Time |
| Weather | Mostly Cloudy | 75°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Slowly kayaking toward the nest with a long lens. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a Nikon FT-1 Adapter & Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
Exposure
| 300mm (810mm) f/5.6 1/2500s -0.33ev 1000iso (70mm (189mm) f/5.6 1/2500s -0.33ev 1250iso) |
| Post | Background smoothing and a little definition. |
Aug 19, 2021 | AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Michigan, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Snow Berries Sometimes winter tries to reclaim spring. Luckily, spring always wins sooner or later.
The Back Story Simple click on a nice winter walkabout. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Winter Walkabout |
| Location | Northern Michigan |
| Date/Time | 4/14/2019 3:47pm Local Time |
| Weather | Light Snow | 37°F | Moderate Winds |
| Method | Simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a Nikon FT-1 Adapter & Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.4G lens |
Exposure
| 50mm (135mm) f/3.2 1/800s -0.33ev 160iso |
| Post | Added a little definition to berries. |
Aug 18, 2021 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Canada Geese, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Canada Geese These Canada Geese seem to be having their evening stroll just be fore sunset. You may have heard them called Canadian Geese, but Canada Geese is their proper name. Although they make a nuisance of themselves to people living on the lake, they too contribute to our wild heritage.
The Back Story Sometimes, the secret to capturing a nice image is to show up at the right time. This late afternoon walkabout uncovered these two Canada Geese watching the sunset. Notice how the foreground goose is standing on one leg. It stood there on one leg for a very long time. For more information and images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Birds | a 7 Image Story. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Daily Walkabout |
| Location | Nearby Lake |
| Date/Time | 4/08/2019 7:15pm Local Time |
| Weather | Fair Skies | 71°F | Moderate Winds |
| Method | Simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a Nikon FT-1 Adapter & Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
Exposure
| 300mm (810mm) f/5.6 1/500s -0.33ev 800iso |
| Post | Warmed a bit. |
Aug 17, 2021 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Cardinal, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Cardinal Cardinals cheer us up during the cold winter months with their brilliant colors. Cardinals don’t migrate and they don’t molt into a dull plumage, so they stay breathtakingly beautiful against winter’s snow.
Quick Facts…
| Male Cardinal … brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill, and black face mask.
|
| Habitat | Woodland edges in thickets and bushes. Inhabited areas like backyards and parks. |
| Range | Year around in Northern Illinois |
| Nest | Well hidden in dense shrubs, vines, or low trees. |
| Diet | Varied diet of mostly seeds and berries as well as many insects like beetles, grasshoppers, etc. |
| Behavior | Sits low in shrubs & trees. Forages on or near the ground and bird feeders. Travel in pairs. |
| Size | Length: 8.3-9.1 in | Weight: 1.5-1.7 oz | Wingspan: 9.8-12.2 in |
The Back Story Small birds like this Cardinal can be challenging to capture even with a long, fast lens. The Nikon 1 V3 with the 70-300mm lens allows for a 810mm effective focal length. It’s a long, not so fast lens at f5.6, but a very sharp lens. Still, it takes some practice to get a tack sharp image shooting handheld. Northern Cardinals tend to sit low in shrubs and trees or forage on or near the ground, often in pairs. This image was a simple click through the window at the kitchen table. For more information and images, see Nikon 1 V3 for Birds | a 7 Image Story. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Lunchtime Photo |
| Location | Backyard |
| Date/Time | 2/01/2019 11:37am Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 14°F | Light Winds |
| Method | Simple click out the window. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a Nikon FT-1 Adapter & Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens |
Exposure
| 300mm (810mm) f/5.6 1/2000s -0.33ev 1000iso |
| Post | Sharpened eyes and added a little definition. |
Aug 16, 2021 | 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.4-5.6 PD-Zoom, Lighthouses, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge
Nikon 1 V3 Hodgepodge | Point Betsie The Point Betsie Lighthouse, located on the northeast shore of Lake Michigan, sees some pretty dramatic weather and rarely disappoints for a nice image. It really does not matter what time of the year, there’s plenty of good clouds, wind, and waves any time of the year. A little closer look at the Point Betsie Lighthouse reveals nice restoration work done over the last couple of years. The Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse have restored the lighthouse and now operate it.
The Back Story This image is really a simple click after a short walk down the beach. Note: I post an image everyday at hankconrad.com.
Details…
| Event | Michigan Fall Color Drive |
| Location | Point Betsie Lighthouse |
| Date/Time | 10/13/2018 2:43pm Local Time |
| Weather | Partly Cloudy | 50°F | Moderate Winds |
| Method | Simple click. |
| Gear | Nikon 1 V3 with a 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.4-5.6 PD-Zoom |
Exposure
| 10mm (27mm) f/9 1/400s -0.33ev 160iso |
| Post | Strengthened contrast a bit. |
