Little guys in flight...1st post.

[Jody Melanson]

Howdy folks! My post post here, so I'll introduce myself.

I grew up in a small Northern Town on a large Lake. I was always fascinated
by Bug, Birds and Wildlife. Growing up in this small town gave me lots of
opportunities to see and interact with nature. I was your typical boy with
the slingshot hanging out of one back pocket and a Frog in one of my front
pockets. It was tremendous fun for myself, but caused my Mother much grief.
She never liked the Snakes and other creatures I regularly brought home. I
can remember when I was about 7 and caught a Arigope (Garden Spider) that
was so large, I couldn't quite close my hand fully around him without
crushing him. I took him in the house and showed my Mom. I can still hear
her piercing scream like it was yesterday. :D

Drawing, sketching and painting was also where a lot of my free time was
spent. I think the camera is a fantastic medium for producing another form
of Art.

My greatest satisfaction comes from shooting action shots. Birds in flight
or fight, Mammals running, People leaping, diving, jumping etc....as I love
challenges. I also like to read, learn and share ideas.

Purple Martin bringing home the bacon. (or in this case a Dragonfly)

1


Lesser Yellowlegs coming in for a landing.

2


Yellow Shafted Flickers are tough to shoot since their flight patterns are so "all over the place".

3


The same can be said of the Redheaded Woodpeckers!

4

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks Jody for these action shots!

It's great to see beautiful pictures of animals, however action is even better! Your pictures give more of a sense of the life and impedritives of the birds. Having set the idea of hunting for specific prey with your first photograph, the other three get a new meaning of need, purpose and intent.

Jody, I was going to welcome you first, but here it is, anyway; thanks for joining us and sharing your work.

Asher

BTW, just for those trying such photography, could you share technicals?

[Don Cohen]

I join Asher in welcoming you to OPF.

These images are simply spectacular - quite an introduction! Being obsessed with birds and flight shots myself, I know how difficult it is to get photos like this, and would like to congratulate you on some awesome captures.

Best regards,

[Asher Kelman]

I wonder whether bird have any idea how beautiful they look! Also, what do they think about on there long journeys. They certainly have plenty of time. Maybe they are in some sort of semi trance with the leaders of the flock taking turns to be alert?

Asher

[Charles L Webster]

I'm familiar with Jody's work from the Landscape & Nature forum on FredMiranda where's Jody's BIF shots are among the best ever.

Welcome to OPF, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful pictures Jody.

[Jody Melanson]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

Thanks Jody for these action shots!

It's great to see beautiful pictures of animals, however action is even better! Your pictures give more of a sense of the life and impedritives of the birds. Having set the idea of hunting for specific prey with your first photograph, the other three get a new meaning of need, purpose and intent.

Jody, I was going to welcome you first, but here it is, anyway; thanks for joining us and sharing your work.

Asher

BTW, just for those trying such photography, could you share technicals?

Thanks for the welcome! One of the main reasons I like to catch the action is that it usually happens to fast in real time to see exactly what is going on, so the camera will freeze the action for us to see the detail. :)

All of my photos have the EXIF data intact. If you wish to see it, simply download the excellent EXIF viewer for your browser (IE, Firefox) or a standalone version from http://www.opanda.com then all you have to do is right click on any of my (or anyone else for that matter that retains the EXIF data) images and you can see all the details.

[Jody Melanson]

Originally Posted by Don Cohen

I join Asher in welcoming you to OPF.

These images are simply spectacular - quite an introduction! Being obsessed with birds and flight shots myself, I know how difficult it is to get photos like this, and would like to congratulate you on some awesome captures.

Best regards,

Thank you Don. It is very frustrating at times but also extremely rewarding when you capture them in flight. :)

[Jody Melanson]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

I wonder whether bird have any idea how beautiful they look! Also, what do they think about on there long journeys. They certainly have plenty of time. Maybe they are in some sort of semi trance with the leaders of the flock taking turns to be alert?

Asher

Sometimes I wonder about things like that while I'm out and about. I'm not sure if they even have emotions or is it just all instinct?

[Jody Melanson]

Originally Posted by Charles L Webster

I'm familiar with Jody's work from the Landscape & Nature forum on FredMiranda where's Jody's BIF shots are among the best ever.

Welcome to OPF, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your wonderful pictures Jody.

Thank you Charles for the warm welcome and for the very generous comments! :)