The Terns of Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Huntington Beach, CA

Took the family down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach and walked one of the trails there. Got a few decent Tern shots.

Nikon D40, 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4xTC (420mm f/5.6), ISO 400. #1 and #3 shot in Aperture Priority - f/5.6. #2 shot in shutter priority - 1/1000.

Tern in protected nesting area. Shot through opening in chain link fence.


Tern spreads it's wings in flight


Tern at favorite pooping spot (this guy actually did poop after I snapped a few shots of him)

A couple of shots from June SoCal Infiniti/Nissan Meet

Custom Widebody Twin Turbo Infiniti FX


Custom Widebody Turbocharged Infiniti G35


More photos HERE.

Bolsa Chica Birds....Part II

My 1.4x teleconverter (Nikon TC-14E II) came in the mail this week from Adorama. Got up on Saturday morning and went to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands at sunrise (5:45am!). Was hoping for better light, but it was very cloudy. Didn't start getting keepers until about 7:00am. IQ and AF seem to be the same as without the TC. More photos HERE.

D40, 300mm AF-S with 1.4x TC (420mm f/5.6), ISO 400

Spring Flower

I was at a friend's house for a Memorial Day BBQ and took a few shots of the flowers in his backyard. First try at shooting flowers, I'd love to get a Macro lens!

Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Huntington Beach, CA

I finally made it down to the Bolsa Chica Wetlands in Huntington Beach, CA to photograph the birds there. I had a blast and will definitely be going back. By the next time I go my Nikon AF-S 1.4X TC should arrive in the mail and that will make my 300mm f/4 a 420mm f/5.6. These shots were taken handheld @ f/4 and ISO 400.

Colors of Educators

Taken at USC's Doctoral hooding ceremony, my wife graduated with a Doctorate in Education. Congrats Spring!

Water Droplets

I was browsing some photos on Flickr! this afternoon and came across some cool water drop pictures. I decided to give it a try. Armed with my camera, tripod, a huge piece of black fabric, and SB-800 flash I headed over to my kitchen sink. These were shot in shutter priority at 1/40 for #1 and #3, 1/15 for #2 and manual @ 1/500, f/11 for #4. I took 200+ shots, here are the results. The cropped versions without the faucet in the frame came out the best IMO. Here are the other photos from this set. At a later date I'll try capturing a water drop falling into a pool of water.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Took these shots this morning at Scherer Park in Long Beach. These were shot with a Nikon D40, 300mm f/4 AF-S lens, aperture priority at f/4, ISO 400 (bumped it up to ensure my shutter speed was fast enough, I handheld these shots). Did some quick post processing in PS, didn't crop any of these images though, I love the reach this lens. Here are a few of my favs, the rest are posted HERE:

Nikon Gear

My sis-in-law Tonya was gracious enough to let me use her Canon Rebel XT to take some photos of my Nikon Gear, photos with notes posted HERE

Lenses, body, and flash


Big lens, small body


My everyday setup

Micah getting his hair washed

I love this shot because Micah is so calm even as the water is getting closer and closer to his eyes. Shot with an 18-200mmVR @ 62mm, Manual exposure, 1/500th, f/8, ISO 200 with an SB-800 flash.

Micah Edward Cooke has arrived

Beautiful!

As some of you know my wife is 39 weeks pregnant and due to have our baby boy on 5 May. Took some photos in Seal Beach this evening at sunset. I went into the shoot wanting to get a silhouette of her as the sun set in the background. Shot in shutter priority, 1/160, ISO 200 and did some quick adjustments in PS. I'm pleased with the result:

Chris' G35 Coupe

Had the pleasure of shooting Chris' IP Coupe. We recently completed our OEM Emblem-less grills so it was time for a photo shoot. Found a nice location down by the Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach. Had great views of the water and the downtown Long Beach skyline. Thanks again Chris for giving me the opportunity to shoot your sweet ride!

New lens, new capabilities!

I've been trying to shoot birds and wildlife with my 18-200VR lens, but 200mm just isn't long enough. I got a Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S IF-ED telephoto lens this week. Here are some test shots I took within hours of getting the lens. I plan on getting a 1.4 TC which will make this lens 420mm f/5.6. Love the lens so far!



Tiny bird shot from the stairwell of my Condo building

Heron shot near the Queen Mary ocean liner in Long Beach.



QUACK!

Alan's 2nd Gen G35 Sedan

Had the opportunity to shoot Alan's 2nd Gen G35 sedan. Started a bit before sunset and shot a few after it was dark. Shooting location afforded the opportunity to shoot shots with various backdrops. This guy that owns a G37 stopped and talked to us, he was drooling over Alan's wheels/BBK. Thanks again Alan, your ride looks great.