Favorites Photo Hunt

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

While Karma said we could photograph any of our favorites, I choose to take a few of her suggestions for this month’s Photo Hunt.

Food

I am not a very adventuresome eater when it comes to Chinese food.  If it says Sweet and Sour, it is good.  🙂  If you are visiting Chinatown in Washington, DC.  I highly recommend the Eat First restaurant on H Street.  Not much of an authentic setting but the food more than makes up for it.

Chinese dishes from Eat First restaurant in Washington, DC. Sweet and Sour Chicken, House Special Fried Rice with chicken, beef, shrimp and Broccoli Chicken.

Chinese dishes from Eat First restaurant in Washington, DC. Sweet and Sour Chicken, House Special Fried Rice with chicken, beef, shrimp and Broccoli Chicken. iPhone photo.

Color

On the way to the First Eat restaurant, we took the Metro and disembarked at the Chinatown station.  The light display above the station’s entrance was too colorful not to photograph.

Colorful lights above the Chinatown metro station entrance/exit in Washington, DC.

Colorful lights above the Chinatown metro station entrance/exit in Washington, DC. iPhone photo using Pro HDR app.

Animal

The National Zoo in Washington, DC is free to the public and is a must do for me each time I visit DC.  As Zoo’s go, it is still in transition from an older zoo with bland exhibits to ones which are more livable for the animals and educational for the people who visit.

Tigers are my favorite wild cats.

Sumatran tiger at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Sumatran tiger at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 220, EV -0.3, 300mm focal length, cropped.

Vacation Spot

Washington, DC is a popular vacation spot for families and, as I found out, many school field trips in the Springtime.  The museums and monuments were full of school groups during the day so I got up early one morning and photographed around the US Capitol building.  A building which is the embodiment of the United States of America. The whole city is a photographic gem.

United States Capitol building in Washington, DC.

United States Capitol building in Washington, DC. iPhone photo using the Pro HDR App.

Sport

While I might have surprised you with the Vacation Spot, it is not a surprise ice hockey is my favorite sport to play, watch and photograph.

Action during a recent Syracuse Crunch ice hockey game in Syracuse, New York.

Action during a recent Syracuse Crunch ice hockey game in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D700/70-200, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 3200, EV +1.3, 200mm focal length, cropped.

Bonus

As Karma pointed out in the first comment below, there was a bonus portion to this month’s photo hunt.  I missed it when I copied the list to my iPhone.  I did come across something in Washington, DC though. I remember saying to myself I should photograph it for her as it would be something she would have.  As most of my followers know, I rarely photograph flowers so this one is for you Karma!

Washington, DC Tulips.

The Architect of the Capitol had planted thousands of tulips all over the Capitol grounds including these which were lighted by the early morning Sun. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV 0, 230mm focal length.

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View 226: Calder Cup Playoffs

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

It has been awhile since the Syracuse Crunch made the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Playoffs.  Fans came out and filled the Onondaga Country War Memorial in support.

AHL Hockey Playoff atmosphere in the Onondaga County War Memorial in Syracuse, New York.

AHL Hockey Playoff atmosphere during the Syracuse Crunch game against the St. John's Ice Caps. From left, fans waving rally towels at the start of the game, patriotic couple sang both the Canadian and American national anthems, Crunch mascot Al the Ice Gorilla greets fans and a young fan gets an up close view of the game.

The Crunch had lost the first game of the best of five series the night before and the Syracuse fans loudly supported them throughout the game.  The Crunch carried the play for most of the game but still gave up a two goal lead.  The teams were tied half way through the last period.

Syracuse Crunch forward Brandon McMillan (15) tips the puck towards St. John's Ice Caps goaltender Edward Pasquale (40) in the first period of their AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in the War Memorial. Syracuse won 4-3.

Syracuse Crunch forward Brandon McMillan (15) tips the puck towards St. John's Ice Caps goaltender Edward Pasquale (40) in the first period of their AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in the War Memorial. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 2200, EV +1.3, 200mm focal length.

Crunch forward Brandon McMillan (pictured above) broke the tie with 8 minutes left in the third period.  McMillan, who was in front of Ice Caps goalie Edward Pasquale all night, deflected a pass from Kyle Pallmieri into the net.  From there the Crunch held off the Ice Caps for their first playoff win.

Syracuse Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki (35) keeps an eye on the puck after making a save against the St. John's Ice Caps in an AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the War Memorial.

Syracuse Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki (35) keeps an eye on the puck after making a save against the St. John's Ice Caps in an AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the War Memorial. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 2800, EV +1.3, 200mm focal length.

The series resumes in St. John’s on Wednesday.  The Syracuse Crunch will have to win two games on the road.  A big challenge but this team has been meeting them all year. Go Crunch!

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No Tripods, No Monopods, No Problems

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography
Space Shuttle Enterprise in the James S. McDonnell Space Hanger in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport.

Space Shuttle Enterprise in the James S. McDonnell Space Hanger in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport. Nikon D700/28-300VR, 1s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm focal length. See Text for More Information about this Photo.

The Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia and next door to Dulles International Airport does not allow the use of monopods or tripods due to safety issues.  I figured I would have to rely on my Nikon D700 dSLR camera‘s high ISO capability and hand holding ability to get good, sharp photos during my visit earlier this month. That was until I read a post on William Beem’s blog about his visit from a couple of month’s before.

Look back up at the photo of the Space Shuttle Enterprise I took from one of the catwalks.  Maybe some people can but I can not hand hold a camera for much longer then 1/8th of a second without camera shake of some kind.  Even using an image stabilized (IS or VR) lens. The Exif data shows the photo was taken at a shutter speed of 1 second allowing an aperture of f/16 and ISO of 200.  Producing a very noise free image with lots of depth of field.  The long exposure did show movement in the people below but that’s okay.  I could remove them if I wanted to.

Click Here for the Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp

Scott Thomas with the Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp.

How was I able to accomplish this feat?  I used the idea I got from William Beem and bought a Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp to attach to the railings of the center’s catwalks.  The super clamp worked perfectly with the round railings which are at two levels for adults and smaller children.  I used the lower railings and the arm had plenty of length to reach up over the upper railing.  This gave a secure platform for my camera to be attached to.  I used both the Nikon 28-300VR Zoom and Tokina 11-16mm Wide Angle Zoom lenses to photograph the historical air and space craft inside the museum. The catwalks are not rock solid and move when people walk past. I had to use a bit of patience waiting for them to steady. Because this setup was not as good as a tripod I left vibration reduction (VR) on for the 28-300VR lens.

The photo below was taken from the seat you see me seating at.  The Magic Arm is very easy to position and has a variable friction mechanism.  I can loosen up the main joint a little which keeps the camera secure and lets me move it until I find the right angle and re-tighten.  I found it very easy to use.

Space Shuttle Enterprise in the James S. McDonnell Space Hanger of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport.

Space Shuttle Enterprise in the James S. McDonnell Space Hanger of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Many exhibits had been removed from behind and around the Enterprise in preparation for it to be moved to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, 1/3s, f/8, ISO 200, EV 0, 14mm focal length, Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp.

I would like to thank Michael Besant, who lives in Virginia, for meeting me at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.  Mike, a flickr and Disney friend, was my guide around the museum who pointed me in the right direction after I would explain the photo I was after.  He also took the photo of me.  Thanks, Mike!

The Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp came in very handy for making bracketed sets of photos for creating HDR images with Photomatix Pro.  The hangers where bright at the top and dimmer towards the floor leaving lots of dark shadows below the aircraft with bright highlights above.  Especially when the hull was shiny like with the Enola Gay.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" on display in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" which dropped the first atomic weapon used in combat on Hiroshima, Japan displayed in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, f/8, ISO 1600, EV 0, 14mm focal length, Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp, HDR Image.

This is the view (see photo below) you first see after clearing the security checkpoint.  I am a big fan of the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbirds from my youth.  The spy planes could out run anything in the sky and reach almost suborbital heights if the need arose.  I sometimes wish we had not been in such a big hurry to get to the Moon and created spacecraft like the SR-71s to reach space. Maybe we will someday.

Overlooking a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird in the Boeing Aviation Hanger of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

Overlooking a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird in the Boeing Aviation Hanger of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Nikon D700/Tokina 11-16mm, f/8, ISO 200, EV 0, 16mm focal length, Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp, HDR Image.

A word about security at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.  The checkpoint at the door never questioned me carrying the Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp into the facility  I used it throughout the hangers and catwalks with no security guards ever approaching me. Not to mention the video surveillance. However, one security guard near the entrance did say I could not use it after taking the photo above. By then I had gotten most of what I wanted.  I did use it one more time for the Enola Gay photo, again, without an issue.  Be aware not every place you take a Manfrotto Magic Arm and Super Clamp will allow it.  It is not a tripod or monopod nor has a footprint of any kind where people could trip on it. Once that is known, I doubt you will have too much problem convincing people it is safe to use.

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Spring Tradition

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

The Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) has made an appearance on my blog for each year of its existence.  It has become my Spring tradition to post a photo of the sweet sounding little song bird.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York.

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 400mm focal length, cropped.

Last year was the first time I photographed the Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensi) on one of the mounds of dirt left from the improvements happening at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.  This year the mounds are gone so the yellow striped sparrow found this branch on the ground from which to sing his song from.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensi) singing in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York.

Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensi) singing in the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/250s, f/9, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 400mm focal length, cropped.

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View 225: Spring Pairs

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Scott Thomas Photography

Last month we had a stretch of unusually warm weather which accelerated the growth of many flowering tree species.  In visiting the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge over the weekend, it looks like the birds are a little early, too.

This is the first time I have photographed Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) and felt fortunate to find a pair at their nest hole.  The male had just pulled his head out of the hole after feeding the little ones.  He flew off a few seconds later and the female entered the nest.

A nesting pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York.

A nesting pair of Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/250s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 400mm, cropped.

Nearby a pair of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were relaxing on the pond the bluebird nest overlooks.

A pair of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York.

A pair of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/250s, f/13, ISO 200, EV 0, 400mm focal length, cropped.

Back at the refuge’s visitor center, the Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) were busy gathering and feeding their broads at the nesting boxes.

A nesting pair of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York.

A nesting pair of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge near Seneca Falls, New York. Nikon D700/80-400VR, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV 0, 400mm focal length.

The refuge was very quiet and the continued improvements I talked about last year are still being worked on.  Those improvements are done by bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks bringing a lot of intrusions to what is normally a quiet natural area.  Once they are completed, I will be looking forward to seeing even more wildlife pairing up.

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