And now for something different……

My last two blog posts consisted of photos of birds, so I decided to try something new.  I’ve never posted a panoramic photo on my blog before, so I hope this image is well-represented on your screens!

I took this photo from a South Rim viewpoint on Hermit Road, looking west as a large spring thunderstorm approached.  The image is a combination of 4 photos that I stitched together in Photoshop.

Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring, incredible place……

Canon 40D, Canon 17-40 mm L-series

1/18th of a second at f18, 23 mm focal length

To see more, visit my gallery at http://bhealyphoto.zenfolio.com/

Copyright Brian Healy Photography 2010

Immature Snowy Owl – British Columbia, Canada, January 14, 2012

The appearance of this photogenic species in the southern portions of its range is tied to population cycles of its major prey species in the bird’s arctic breeding ground.  Normally when lemming populations decline, young birds are forced as far south as Kansas or Missouri.  However, according to an article on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society sponsored ebird website (see  http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/got-snowies), this year’s owl irruption occurred despite a lemming population all-time high!

When viewing or photographing these birds, it is important to realize they may be struggling to find food, and any harrassment could result in the unncessary expenditure of  energy and possibly death.  Use a super telephoto lens!  I used a 400 mm lens to take this photo from a major recreation trail to avoid disturbing the owls.

Enjoy!

Brian Healy Photography 2012

Canon 40d, 400 mm lens

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I had always wanted to be a wildlife photographer when I was young (or a pilot), but thought doing that sort of thing was out of reach for the average person.  I bought my first SLR Canon camera when I  graduated from college and a rather inexpensive, slow, 300 mm zoom lens.  From a distance of about 10 feet, on an island off the west coast of Scotland, the Atlantic puffin was the first animal I photographed with that camera.  It made me realize taking photographs of wildlife was not impossible!

This shot was taken more recently with my Canon 40D, 100-400 mm L IS lens at 1/250 second, f/5.6, with a monopod for support.

Copyright Brian Healy Photography 2009

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The setting sun casts its last light of the day on one of Yosemite National Park’s granite peaks – “Half Dome”.

Brian Healy Photography 2008

Canon 40D

Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM

1/200 sec at f/5.6 at 100mm

http://bhealyphoto.zenfolio.com/western_landscapes

Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM lens
Exposure 1/13 second at f14

Desert Waterfall, Canon 40D,  Canon 17-40mm L-series lens shot at 22mm, f22 for 1/2 second. 

The backcountry of Grand Canyon National Park is not for the faint of heart, but those willing to put up with 110 degree heat, limited water, and steep, unforgiving terrain are rewarded with views like this!  Every year the Canyon claims the lives of ill-prepared hikers.   

Deer Creek Narrows, May 2010

Brian Healy Photography 2010

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This photo was taken in July at just under 12,000 feet in elevation in the Weminuche Wilderness Area of Colorado.  

Highland Mary Lakes Loop near Silverton, Colorado.

Canon 40D, EF 17-40mm f4 LUSM

Brian Healy Photography

http://bhealyphoto.zenfolio.com/

I love fish.  Particulary large and beautiful fish with dramatic life history characteristics like salmon.  While many fisheries are in decline due to poor management, I am grateful that Alaska’s salmon fisheries are particularly well-managed and sustainable compared to others.

Canon 40D, 70-200mm F2.8
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I dug into my photo archives for this blog post- I took this photo in 2005 on a trip to the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska.  We found these cubs swimming in a deep pool within the Russian River, which is a famous tributary of the Kenai River popular with the fly-fishing community for its large runs of salmon and rainbow trout which feed on their eggs.  Anxious fisherman could only stand by and watch as these cubs occupied a pool which held a large number of silver salmon.  While the bared teeth look ominous, these cubs were merely playing. 

Brian Healy Photography

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The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) is a common, canine species endemic to the African continent.  Pair bonds between adults are maintained for life, and together, a pair vigorously defends a territory of about 1 square mile.  The species feeds on just about anything that it comes across, and will steal portions of lion or hyena kills.  Despite being persecuted as a killer of livestock, the specie’s ability to feed opportunistically in a wide variety of habitats  has allowed it to thrive in southern and eastern Africa. 

This photo was taken in the Savuti region of Chobe National Park in Botswana. 

Brian Healy Photography

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