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Saturday
May262012

EPIC Gorge Trip May 20-23, 2012

My good friend, Chris and I had some time off in May and decided upon a hike into the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.

 

Walking down Kistler 1402

 

Our origional plan was to hike Linville Gorge Trail from Babel Tower Trail and Come out at Pinch-in. With the threat of severe weather in the Forecast we opted to hike a few miles down to the Conley Cove Trail Head. 

 

Happy Camper 1408

 

Hat and Knife! 1404

 

We made it down Conley Cove to the Linville River and made a quick lunch and took a dip in the river. We had to share it with about 10 black snakes though. They didn't seem agressive and we both went out seperate ways.

 

 

One of the many Black Snakes we encountered 1403

 

We started down the Linville Gorge Trail and found a great campite near the River. We had supper and while Chris fished, I made photographs.

 

Linville Gorge Camping Trip "Balance" 139/366

 

The next day the Linville Gorge Trail became more difficult in terrain and in the ability to follow. I don't think we hiked over a mile that day as our goal was to find a great campsite near Pinch-in. Along the way we saw the Chimneys on East side of the Gorge.

 

The Chimneys 1405

 

My Campsite 1393

 

I was really impressed with the Eureka! Spitfire Tent on the trip as it kept me dry and had great ventilation even with the rain fly deployed.

 

Linville Gorge Camping Trip May 20-23, 2012 54

 

The honey bees sure seem to enjoy my sweaty hat!

 

Later on as Chris fished, I made photographs.

 

Chris and the catch 1394

 

Caught 1395

 

Chris and I decided to experiment with some long exposures to show the silky water effect, but to have him stay still for 30 seconds as sort of a portrait type deal. This was our first try and it turned out pretty good.

 

Linville Gorge Camping Trip 140/366

 

138/366 Kumbaya

 

As with all good things they must end. The next day we would be hiking out!

 

Chris getting ready for the climb 1396

 

Looking back down Pinch in 1400

 

 

Me on the Long Climb up Pinch in 141/366

 

This trail has roughly 1500' of elevation gain in 1.5 miles and is either straight up or straight down. We eventually made it to the top. I had carried 75 pounds of gear 11 miles on this trip. It was a great time and since my birthday happened on the trip, my wife had me a custom cake made when I got back! Thanks!

 

143/366 let them eat Cake

 

Mark

 

 

Sunday
May062012

Super Moon

Super Moon

 

Howdy Folks,

 

I admit it, I have not been posting much here on the blog. I am still shooting about everyday but I have been stingy with sharing my photos here. This weekend, I shot a soccer game, a quick trip to a field of wildflowers, a girl scout award ceremony a few shots of the perigee moon yesterday and finally today my Daughters Birthday Party. 

So here is my take on the super or perigee moon!

 

Thanks for sticking with me!

 

Mark

 

 

Thursday
Apr192012

Finally, some more Lightning!

Lightning April 17th 2012 108/366

 

We finally had a decent storm here on the farm and it produced some lightning that I was able to get one decent shot with the Canon 7D.

 

Taken with Canon 7D ISO 100 F5 @ 60 second exposure, focal length 24mm, Lens Canon EF 24-70mm F 2.8 Lens.

Looking forward to the next round!

 

Mark

Sunday
Apr012012

Charlotte at Night

Clock at Uptown Charlotte 1247_

 

 

Sunlight on Building in Reflection 1246_

 

I spent Saturday evening doing a phototour with Jane Wiley in uptown Charlotte. The subject was night photography in the Queen City. I know I need to get serious about acquiring a serious wide angle lens for my Canon 7D as I had to rely on my Sony NEX with 16mm lens to get those wide shots.

 

 

Urban Waterfall 1245_

 

Right before the night lights got turned on.

 

 

Urban Waterfall 1244_

 

The night lights are on, gives it a neat look! May need to figure out how to strobe some waterfalls in night in the wild! 

 

 

Fire Truck on Tryon 1242_

 

The Charlotte Fire Department was heading to some sort of emergency and I used a long exposure to capture the lights.

 

 

Traffic on Tryon 1243

 

Some more traffic shots on the streets of Charlotte.

 

 

Last Train 1240

 

The last stop of the Blue Line for Charlotte's Light Rail.

 

 

BlueLine B&W

 

I like it better in B&W.

 

 

Left the station 1241_

 

The train leaving the station and heading out. Really loving the light trails on this one!

 

Thanks Cliff for inviting me along and thanks Jane for leading this wonderful tour.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

Mark

Sunday
Mar252012

PhotoWILD at the Carolina Raptor Center

Edgar working the scene. 1188

 

I headed over to the Carolina Raptor Center early Saturday morning and again today for the PhotoWild Event. Photowild is a fundraiser for the CRC and gives photographers a chance to photograph birds of prey outside their enclosures. It is probably as close as one can get to these magnificent creatures for some extreme close up action.

 

 

We gotta get outta here, Barn Owl Flight from Tether 1231

 

 

Set me Free (Golden Eagle) 1202

 

 

 

The challenge to photograph these birds is to try and make it APPEAR that they are in the wild. All these birds wear tethers which can sometime ruin that appearance. I don't "Photoshop" images since I am an Aperture 3 user and most of my edits are to only enhance the RAW images that come from my camera, and I occasionaly remove/retouch/clone distracting elements, but I usually try to crop via my lens. Nothing wrong with photoshop, it's just not something I want to use now and Aperture 3 does what I need. However sometimes the truth can be interesting!

 

 

Seriously! 1186

 

This was my second time to the Carolina Raptor Center and I wanted to really give my new Canon 7D  a work out and see what it could do with my "L" Glass Lenses. I am totally impressed. Thanks to my fellow photographer and friend Cliff Black who provided me with some tips and tricks using it! Thanks Cliff! Cliff and I shoot with pretty much the same gear except the flash and the editing software! Great minds think alike!

 

 

Golden Eagle in the Rain 1205

 

 

Curves Golden Eagle 1207

 

 

Who'll stop the rain (Golden Eagle) 1203

 

 

Golden Eagle EYES 1208

 

 

Golden Eagle in the Rain 1209

 

My favorite bird is the Golden Eagle and I worked this bird for a long time. Such a noble animal. I like the Bald Eagle too, but it is like the difference between a US Marine in dress uniform vs. Combat Fatigues to me. It was raining so it made the light soft and easy to control!

 

 

Watcha Gonna Do About it Buster

 

The Spectacled Owl was one of the most expressive birds out there. Sometimes he looked very angry, but he was a gentle creature!

 

 

Peregrine Falcon 1232

 

The fastest animal of the planet, the Peregrine Falcon! 

 

 

Red Tailed Hawk  Also 85/366 Project

 

 

Red Tailed Hawk 1226

 

We have a large Red Tailed Hawk that lives nearby and getting a chance to photograph one up close was a real treat for me! 

 

 

Owl in Flight 1218

 

 

Eagle Owl 1223

 

 

Owl in Flight 1214

 

I really liked the flight of the Eagle Owl!

 

Several of us CNPA members were there and we had a wonderful time fellowshipping in the hobby we love so well. 

 

Thanks for Reading!

 

Mark