OK, this is a typical shot that everyone takes, but I like it nonetheless. (C&C welcome!)
If you haven't been to Magness lately, it's a great time to go. Over 100 swans are resident right now and about 4:30-5:00PM you can get some good flight shots.
I spoke to the owner a few days ago and he said he is planning to build a platform for photographers next year that will allow them to shoot down the back section of the lake. Hope he holds true to his promises!
Have a great day!
Dave Hatfield
Posted by Bill Dark on January 10, 2007 at 8:37 PM
I think you've done some beautiful work here Dave! Great light and sharpness, and the position of the swan is perfect. I like it!
Is this the same owner that was running off anyone shooting from a tripod? And now he's going to build a platform for us???? Hummmm, something weird going on here...
Thanks, Bill! I'll post some flight shots later but I just liked the back-light on this particular shot as opposed to a lot of the "straight on" shots that have been taken of the swans in the midst of this common behavior.
As far as I know this is the same owner that many have talked about as being so anti-photographer. This was my first encounter with him (I've talked with his wife before) and he seemed to be very congenial and open to me and the other photographer that happened to be at the pond at the time. I hope he follows through with his plan because he is still adamantly against allowing anyone other than his own family to actually come on to the property in any way. I'd love to be able to get back in to the backside of the pond at some point because the majority of the time the swans take off and land in the back neck of the pond. So far, though, neither he nor his wife are in any way inclined to allow that. I even asked him whether he might have considered having a "photographer's day" at the pond where he would charge a nominal fee and allow photog's to have access to the back areas of the pond under his supervision, but only got a response that the Game and Fish people wouldn't allow it since it was a wildlife preserve. Doesn't make any sense when Holla Bend is a wildlife reserve and you can enter at any time within their time and entrance fee requirements and when Blanchard Springs Caverns conducts the very kind of photo excursion for any group over 20 for a nominal fee. Well, at least he didn't try to run us off the property or threaten to call the Sheriff as some have claimed happened to them. We'll see what time brings.
Dave H.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on January 11, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Great swan picture, David - really love the light on the wings and the reflections in the water. Nice job!
Posted by David Hatfield on January 11, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Thanks, Tim! I've been a "lurker" here for some time but have never posted before. I appreciate your comments.
This particular shot was taken last week about 7:30AM with the sun just coming up over the back edge of the pond (lake?). About 8:30AM the swans began to fly out so I'll try to post some of those shots later. The light wasn't as dramatic but it's a sight to see these huge birds in the air!
Dave H.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 11, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Very nice shot Dave. I really like the sidelight and the way it backlights the far wing. The framing is just about perfect too, well done! Nice to have you posting, looking forward to more!
Discussion
5 repliesIf you haven't been to Magness lately, it's a great time to go. Over 100 swans are resident right now and about 4:30-5:00PM you can get some good flight shots.
I spoke to the owner a few days ago and he said he is planning to build a platform for photographers next year that will allow them to shoot down the back section of the lake. Hope he holds true to his promises!
Have a great day!
Dave Hatfield
Is this the same owner that was running off anyone shooting from a tripod? And now he's going to build a platform for us????
As far as I know this is the same owner that many have talked about as being so anti-photographer. This was my first encounter with him (I've talked with his wife before) and he seemed to be very congenial and open to me and the other photographer that happened to be at the pond at the time. I hope he follows through with his plan because he is still adamantly against allowing anyone other than his own family to actually come on to the property in any way. I'd love to be able to get back in to the backside of the pond at some point because the majority of the time the swans take off and land in the back neck of the pond. So far, though, neither he nor his wife are in any way inclined to allow that. I even asked him whether he might have considered having a "photographer's day" at the pond where he would charge a nominal fee and allow photog's to have access to the back areas of the pond under his supervision, but only got a response that the Game and Fish people wouldn't allow it since it was a wildlife preserve. Doesn't make any sense when Holla Bend is a wildlife reserve and you can enter at any time within their time and entrance fee requirements and when Blanchard Springs Caverns conducts the very kind of photo excursion for any group over 20 for a nominal fee. Well, at least he didn't try to run us off the property or threaten to call the Sheriff as some have claimed happened to them. We'll see what time brings.
Dave H.
This particular shot was taken last week about 7:30AM with the sun just coming up over the back edge of the pond (lake?). About 8:30AM the swans began to fly out so I'll try to post some of those shots later. The light wasn't as dramatic but it's a sight to see these huge birds in the air!
Dave H.