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April 1, 2019 by landm

Birds and the Nikon Coolpix P1000

Male Anna’s Hummingbird #1, Downtown Waterfront, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/80sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, 2,200mm focal length (sides cropped to create square format), handheld. ©Mark Degner

Back in the fall of 2015, when I was doing Gear Reviews for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine, one of the products that I reviewed was the Nikon Coolpix P900 camera that had a 24-2000mm built in lens. Before I had a chance to try it, I thought that it was more of a gimmick camera, but after using it for a while I was quite impressed with it. It had its limitations, but overall the image quality was good up to about 1500mm. In fact I was so impressed with it, that in April 2018 I finally broke down and purchased one to take with me on a trip to the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador to use for some of the wildlife that I encountered. I also used the P900 as my ‘carry around’ hiking and birding camera whenever I am hiking without my main camera system.

When Nikon introduced the Coolpix P1000 later in 2018 with a 24-3000mm lens, improved image stabilization, and RAW capability, I was interested in it, but then decided I could make due with my relatively new P900. However, that changed when I actually had the opportunity to try the P1000 in early 2019. I was really impressed with the extra 1000mm reach that it had (it is still a little soft at 3000mm but pretty sharp at 2600mm) and the improved image stabilization. Needless to say, the P1000 has become my new ‘carry around’ hiking and birding camera.

At the beginning of March, while I was in the Vancouver, B.C area and over in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island I had the P1000 with me and was able to photograph a number of birds while Leslie and I were out on walks. Below are a few of my favourite bird images taken with the P1000. What still impresses me about the P1000 is how sharp the images are considering that they were all handheld. – Mark

Male Anna’s Hummingbird #2, Downtown Waterfront, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/60sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, 2,600mm focal length (sides cropped to create square format), handheld, ©Mark Degner

Glaucous-winged Gull, Neck Point Park, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/100sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 1,700mm focal length (slightly cropped), handheld, ©Mark Degner

Male Red-winged Blackbird, G.C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C., Nikon CoolPix P1000, 1/320sec @ f/5.0, ISO 100, focal length 568mm (slightly cropped), handheld, ©Mark Degner

Male Wood Duck, G.C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C., Nikon CoolPix P1000, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, focal length 800mm (slight crop on left side), handheld, ©Mark Degner

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March 30, 2019 by landm

From the Lens

I have often wondered how a painter would interpret my photographs onto the canvas; I now have my answer for a few of my images. For the show they asked people to submit photographs that the artists could be inspired and work from. The painters and sculptors then chose from the photos provided, to create their interpretation of the image. I had 7 images selected by the artists. Below are 2 of what were selected.

The spring show at the Art Society of Strathcona County is on display this weekend at the A.J. Ottewell Center (Red Barn) Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, 590 Broadmoor Blvd, Sherwood Park, admission is free!

I was very pleased with the results. – Leslie

Beauty Creek, ASSC Display, ©Leslie Degner

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March 15, 2019 by landm

“Beyond the Darkness” – Larry Louie

Last night Mark and I went to Images Alberta Camera Club to see our good friend Larry Louie give a presentation entitled ‘Beyond the Darkness’ on some of the amazing photography that he has done while visiting various developing or third world countries around the world. Larry’s presentation was divided into four ‘chapters’, based on his new book that will soon be published, and combined incredible images of the people and places that he visited with interesting and revealing stories behind the images and the challenges that he faced while photographing. For example this past December while photographing workers at a sulphur mine on the side of volcano in East Java, Larry was overcome by the sulphur fumes and passed out. If it wasn’t for the quick action of Larry’s wife, Joanna, and others getting Larry out of the area he might not be here to give his presentation.

We first meet Larry at Images nearly 30 years ago when we were all members of Images, and in fact Images is where Mark and I first meet in the late 1980’s. Although we are no longer members, we have very fond memories of our time as members of the club and still enjoy our occasional visits to Images either as visitors taking in one of their presentations or as judges of their competitions or giving presentations ourselves.

To see more of Larry’s work visit his portfolio on his website at http://larrylouie.com/portfolio.php, his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/larryylouie/,or his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Larry-Louie-Photography-168999376475496/

Larry Louie at Images Alberta Camera Club, iPhone 6, ©Leslie Degner

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January 22, 2019 by landm

New Bird list

This Common Raven was hanging around in a parking lot looking for handouts, instead he had his picture taken. We’ve decided to continue the “Bird List” challenge for another year. So far Mark has about 15 more bird species than I have but have no fear I will slowly catch up to him. – Leslie

Raven in a parking lot — Raven just hanging around in a parking lot, Olympus E-M1 Mark ll, Olympus 40-150mm F2.8 Lens ©Leslie Degner

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April 12, 2018 by landm

Spring Fling 2018 Art Show and Sale

This Weekend the Art Society of Strathcona Country presents the “Spring Fling 2018 Art Show and Sale” at the A.J. Ottewell Community Centre, 590 Broadmore Blvd., in Sherwood Park, Alberta. See art works by over 30 local artists. Show hours are Friday April 13 from 7pm to 9pm, Saturday Apr. 14 from 10am to 4pm and Sunday Apr. 15 from 11am to 4pm. I have 6 prints on display for the show and in the same building; upstairs in the Loft Gallery I have 7 prints on display. If you are in the Sherwood Park area and enjoy viewing art come out and have a look.

Here are a few of my pieces that will be on display. How many Sheep can you count in the last image? – Leslie

Ferns, Cedar and Maple, ©Leslie Degner

36 Keys, ©Leslie Degner

Feather under Ice, ©Leslie Degner

Off its Hinges, ©Leslie Degner

High up in the Rocks, ©Leslie Degner

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September 1, 2015 by landm

After the Excelsior Creek Fire, Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is one of our favourite locations both for photography and just experiencing nature, so when we heard that there was a forest fire in the Maligne valley area we were quite concerned. The Maligne valley is place we spend a considerable amount of time when in Jasper and we have taken lots of great photos in the area over the years. The Excelsior Creek fire was started by a lightening strike in the afternoon of July 9^th and burned, uncontrolled at times, for a number of days before it was finally put out. We realize that fire, especially naturally started ones, is beneficial for mountain forest ecology but were curious how the fire impacted the region.

So a couple of weeks ago when we were driving through Jasper National Park we decided to take a quick trip up the Maligne Lake road to see how much effect the Excelsior Creek fire had on the Medicine Lake area. From the Maligne Lake road we first saw the burn on the Maligne Range at Excelsior Creek, just across from the Watchtower parking area. The fire continued heading southeast to Medicine Lake along the Maligne Range till it was finally put out three quarters of the way down the lake. The fire also crossed over the road just before the north end of the lake and burned around the north end of the lake and a little bit down the north east side of the lake. Fortunately none of the infrastructure was damage by the fire, thanks to the hard work of the fire fighters who battled the blaze.

Although the local scenery has changed due to the fire, it has also opened up some new photographic opportunities, both now and as the forest slowly regenerates over time. We are looking forward to spending time photographing the burn.

The first images are from the north end of Medicine Lake.

Medicine Lake Pano from North end, Olympus E-M1, Olympus 12-40mm f2.8,©Leslie Degner

Excelsior Creek burn 2, Olympus E-PL5, Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ©Mark Degner

Excelsior Creek burn 3, Olympus E-PL5, Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ©Mark Degner

Medicine Lake at North end 4, Olympus E-M1, Olympus 12-40mm f2.8, ©Leslie Degner

Excelsior Creek burn 5, Olympus E-M1, Olympus 12-40mm f2.8, ©Leslie Degner

Later we stopped at the south end of Medicine Lake to get a different view of the burn. The extent of the burn fallowed the length of Medicine Lake’s south west shore. – Mark and Leslie

Excelsior Creek burn 6, Medicine Lake from south end, Olympus E-PL5, Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ©Mark Degner

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January 12, 2015 by landm

“Developing Your Photographic Style” Photography Workshop

For the last six years we have offered our Women Only Photography Workshops at Aurum Lodge in the heart of David Thompson Country. We have had suggestions from some gentlemen who would like to participate in some of our workshops as well. So this year we are offering our “Developing Your Photographic Style” workshop to both men and women from May 21^st to 24^th, 2015 at Aurum Lodge.

This year as part of the “Developing Your Photographic Style” workshop we have made arrangements for special access to the Brazeau Collieries Mine site as one of the field shoot locations. Instead of the half-day we had last year, we will have up to a full day at the mine. We do not actually go underground into the mine, which is off limits to everyone, but we will be allowed to photograph in and around the buildings and equipment. The Brazeau Colleries mine at Nordegg has been a Provincial Historic Site since 1993 and was designated a National Historic Site in 2002. Opportunities for some interesting and creative photography abound at this site.

For more information on this workshop and to view more images from the area, go to our workshops page.

Spruce tree clings to the edge of the canyon walls, Nikon body, Nikon 24mm f2.8, ©Leslie Degner

Control gates at the storage bins, Nordegg Mine, Nikon D300, Nikon 12-24mm f4, ©Leslie Degner

Relic vehicles at the Nordegg Mine, Nikon D300, Nikon 12-24mm f4, ©Leslie Degner

Turquoise blue water of the Cline River, Nikon D300, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens

Turquoise blue water of the Cline River, Nikon D300, Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, ©Leslie Degner

Elliott Peak and pond reflection, Nikon D700, Nikon 24mm f3.5, ©Mark Degner

Coal car in the blacksmith shop, Nordegg Mine, Panasonic DMC-GX1, Lumix G Vario PZ 14-42mm f3.5-5.6, ©Leslie Degner

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December 25, 2014 by landm

Tonquin Valley Photo Adventure by Horseback

In the Winter 2015 issue of Outdoor Photography Canada magazine, which should be on the newsstands any day now, we are privileged to have published an article, Tonquin Valley Photo Adventure by Horseback, that we wrote about our trips into the backcountry of Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park, Alberta. This is a magical place for photographers and outdoor lovers in general, with spectacular scenery and lots of wildlife. Here are a few more images from our trips into Tonquin Valley, and to learn move about our horseback photo adventures make sure you check out our article in Outdoor Photography Canada magazine. – Mark

Astoria River and the Ramparts, 3 image Panoramic, Nikon D700 Nikon 24mm f/3.5, ©Mark Degner

Rider moves horses through the valley, Tonquin Valley, Nikon D300, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, ©Leslie Degner

Snow gently falling on resting Caribou, Nikon D300, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, ©Mark Degner

Mountain creek in the Tonquin Valley, Nikon D700, Nikon 24mm f/3.5, ©Mark Degner

Looking south in the Tonquin Valley, Nikon D700, Nikon 24mm f/3.5, ©Mark Degner

The Ramparts and Reflection in Amethyst Lake, Tonquin Valley, Nikon D300, Nikon 24mm f/3.8, ©Leslie Degner

Bull Caribou grazing in Tonquin Valley, Nikon D300, Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6, ©Mark Degner

Desperation Pond, Nikon D700, Nikon 24mm f/3.5, ©Mark Degner

Snowfall and pool of water reflecting Mount Clitheroe, Nikon D300, Nikon 12-24mm f/4, ©Leslie Degner

Looking North in the Tonquin Valley, Nikon D300, Nikon 12-24mm f/4, ©Leslie Degner

View from the outhouse, Tonquin Valley, Nikon D700, Sigma 15mm f/2.8, ©Leslie Degner

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July 28, 2014 by landm

Canada’s Anti-spam Legislation

With the new Anti-spam Legislation that took effect July 1, 2014 there is an obligation on the part of Wilderness Light to ensure that if you do not wish to continue receiving further Blog postings via email that you be removed from the email subscription. If you choose to be removed from our Blog email subscription please click on the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this page.

Thank you

Leslie and Mark Degner

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April 21, 2014 by landm