A bloody cold shoot in the mountains!

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

It having snowed the evening beforehand, I travelled into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, for my first shoot of the new year, and my first ever snow-shoot. The thermometer read 18 F (-7.8 C); relative temperature (or “feels like”) was 6 F (-14 C). It definitely was brisk but a good learning experience shooting snow.

"Three shapes of water." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/13 second at ISO 100.

"Shape morphing." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f32 for 1.3 second at ISO 100.

"Ice balls and tites." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

"Balls of Moss." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f20 for 1/3 second at ISO 100.

"Roaring Fork bridge." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 1/6 second at ISO 100.

"Feel it." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f22 for 1/2 second at ISO 100.

"Resilience." Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 0.8 second at ISO 100.

"Globular." Canon 30D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f18 for 1/4 second at ISO 100.

"Slick bridge." Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/80 second at ISO 640 (handheld).

Texas City Dusk – beauty in unusual places

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

My photography mentor, Wyman Meinzer, has encouraged me to see the beauty where I am. Here are some images from a quick evening shoot on the Texas City Dike.

"Trawler Tranquility". Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f22 for 30 seconds at ISO 100.

"Painted Trawler" - light painting. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f5 for 30 seconds at ISO 400.

"Shiny Refinery #1". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 15 seconds at ISO 100.

"Shiny Refinery #2". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f13 for 15 seconds at ISO 100.

"Shiny Refinery #3". Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f8 for 2 seconds at ISO 250.

"Texas City Twilight." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens. f14 for 1.3 seconds at ISO 200.

"Shadow Paining." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 lens. f6.3 for 30 seconds at ISO 200. This image is a light painting of the pilings and the refinery lights created these appealing shadows/patterns.

Fall Rotation – Thanksgiving 2011, Garner State Park, TX.

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Had a wonderful several days at Garner State Park, Texas, where we reflected in nature on the immense blessing in our lives. The season provided a splendid variety of light, a foggy morn’, color on the Cypress trees, a dazzlingly clear calm evening for a North Star and rotation shot, and all-around pleasing to the eyes experience. Highly recommend Garner State Park (especially November).

“Cypress Stars.”
Light painting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 72 seconds at ISO 2000.

“Reflecting on Thanksgiving.”
Light Panting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 208 seconds at ISO 400.

“Garner Rocks.”
Light Panting: Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 46 seconds at ISO 1000.

“Partial Pinwheel.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF-S10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f4.5 for 1298 seconds at ISO 400.

“Foggy Fall Foliage.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/13 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #1.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/25 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #2.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/13 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #3.”
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f/14 for 1/25 second at ISO 200.

“Foggy Frio #4.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

“Foggy Frio #5.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/60 second at ISO 100.

“Foggy Frio #6.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/10 for 1/50 second at ISO 100.

“Fall on the Frio.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/50 second at ISO 100.

“Fall on the Frio #2.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

“Stormy mornin’.”
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f/11 for 1/8 second at ISO 250.

A wet and colorful weekend near Utopia (TX).

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Took a few days off work to go see some country. Decided to visit Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country Region, whereby I camped a wet, but enjoyable, two nights alongside the Frio River. A return trip there is anticipated. All but one of the following images are from Garner State Park (the remaining image is from Lost Maples State Natural Area).

Frio River 1 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 2 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 3 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Lost Maples State Natural Area. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 4 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 5 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 6 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Frio River 7 – Garner State Park. Canon 30D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Frio River 8 – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Cypress roots.
Frio River – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

“Old Baldy” at night – Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

“Old Baldy” shrouded in fog as I left Garner State Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens.

Assorted Critters (non-avian) – Australia, Belize, USA

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Assorted non-avian critters from Australia, Belize, USA. Most taken with Canon 30D camera and Canon 100-400 mm lens (predominantly handheld). All of these animals (excepting the domestic dog and horses) are wild and “free”.

Bottlenose dolphin and red snapper.

American Alligator.

American Alligator and Roseate Spoonbills.

American Alligator - a mating behavior.

a very loud, and in this case fatal, chomp on a turtle.

American Black Bear just prior to hybernation.

American Black Bear (same individual as prior image).

Australian Shepherd and snow - not wildlife but a handsome dog nonetheless.

Bee (unidentified).

Bee and Morning Glory flower.

Another bee, another flower.

Black Iguana.

Green Iguana - cryptic coloration.

Green Iguana.

Coyote - "fearful and aggressive" behavior. This individual has been ravaged by sarcoptic mange, hence the lack of fur and the open flesh wounds. The temperature was 20 degrees F on the day I captured this image - surely this individual perished soon thereafter.

Coyote. This individual heard the camera shutter and looked "straight at me" but I was apparently sufficiently camouflaged to not "spook" it. Also, the wind was blowing strongly from right-to-left in this image so my scent was apparently not detected.

Eastern Chipmunk - too cute are these little fella's.

Eastern Grey Squirrel in winter.

Golden Silk Spider - large strong web.

Gulf Fritillary.

Gulf Fritillary - another look.

Gulf Fritillary - last look.

Horses and wildflowers.

Morelet's Crocodile.

Northern Bluet Damselfly.

Platypus - approximately 30 cm (12") in length.

"Bluebottle" (Portuguese man o' war) on the beach.

This raccoon was swimming across a rather wide lake. It made several attempts to "join us" in the boat.

Rustic Sphinx Caterpillar in our yard - feasting on vitex sp.

Unidentified caterpillar with external parasites (the white bits on the posterior 2/3).

Unidentified water snake.

Wallaby.

Adult and "Joey" (juvenile) wallaby.

Water Moccasin.

Water Moccasin - the "business end."

White-Tailed Deer juvenile.

White-Tailed Deer buck.

Pacific Dreaming

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A very quick trip to Australia enabled some early morning shots (4:45 am for several of these). The location is on the upper NSW coast, late September, 2011.

"Sunrise and Norries Head." Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm lens and 1.4x teleconverter at ISO 800. 1/160 second at f/7.1.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 30 seconds at f/4.

"Pandanus, beach, and sunrise" over the Pacific. Canon 7D and Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 6 seconds at f/5.6.

"Boulders and waves 1." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1.3 seconds at f/14.

"Boulders and waves 2." Same boulders, different morning. Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 20 seconds at f/4.

"Boulders and waves 3." Norries Head, and Pacific dawn. Canon 7D with Canon S10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1.6 seconds at f/4.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn 2." Canon 7D with Canon S10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1/3 second at f/22.

"A Pacific Ocean dawn 3." Canon 7D with Canon 10-22mm lens at ISO 100. 1/3 second at f/22.

"Beach cusps." Canon 30D with Canon 100-400mm lens and 1.4 teleconverter at ISO 1000, handheld (it was rather windy on the headland). 1/500 second at f/9.

Blessed Rain: dusk from “Scenic Galveston” site, Galveston County

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Ah, finally some precipitation – only recorded 1/2″ but the light was phenomenal as a band of clouds and associated winds caressed the evening.

Rain over the salt-marsh. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 1000 (the wind was absolutely howling, very nearly blowing the tripod, and me, over).

Wind and clouds over spartina. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 1000 (again, the wind was making it very challenging to stand, let alone keep the camera steady).

Granite, grass, clouds, and color... a glorious evening. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 500 (a little respite from the breeze).

Vibrant hues over Bayou Vista. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 800

Serenity in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Posted on August 30, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

A brief vacation in Tennessee enabled me time to go “shoot” and yielded some images from a quaint stream – well, it is named the “Roaring Fork” but was in a non-roaring flow when I explored it. Hope you find peace and solace through these sample images.

Dusk falls over the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Canon 7D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens at ISO 100.

“Reflections on a stream #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens at ISO 100.

Fungi thriving in moist, cool, shaded environment. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

Moss, water, and quite ambience. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

Mossy boulders and stream. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

Cold water trickling and descending. Canon 7D and Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 250.

“Meandering among metamorphics #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

Cool, moist habitat and moss flourishes. Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Metamorphic meanderings #1.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Tranquility above Dali.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Tranquility, sans Dali.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Reflections on a stream #2.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“More metamorphic meanderings.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 100.

“Flowers and falls.” Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens at ISO 400.

A smattering of scenics (and other “pretty” things).

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Here are just a few images, primarily scenic, but also some other “pretty things”, from Australia, Belize, Kazakhstan, and the USA.

A few from Australia to start with.

Atherton Tablelands, QLD.

Melaleuca trees, QLD.

Atherton Tablelands, QLD.

Iluka, NSW.

The view from our hut (10.5′ x 10.5′) when we lived on an atoll, 30 miles offshore Belize.

Little Calabash Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Belize.

The color in this image on the Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan) is due to light interacting with dust particles blown off the surrounding desert – lots of nutrients for primary production in this sea.

Caspian Sea, Kazakhstan.

The remaining images are from the USA. This is a Gulf of Mexico sunset.

Florida, USA

Fall color in Tennessee.

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

A dahlia in our garden (Texas).

Near Galveston, Texas, USA.

I like to garden.

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.

The following three images are in Knox County, Texas.

Texas, USA.

Wildflowers in the Texas hill country.

Texas, USA.

Salt flat in west Texas.

Texas, USA.

Another in Texas.

Texas, USA.

Christmas in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (times two).

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA.

Two sunsets on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, approximately 18 months after Hurricane Ike swept through.

Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, USA.

Sunset over the refineries of Texas City. Shot from the east end of Galveston Island.

Texas City, Texas, USA.

Brazos Bend State Park, Texas.

Brazos Bend State Park, Texas, USA.

An avian assortment.

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Ah, a little free time for me having just completed the draft of my Master of Marine Resources Management Thesis! Typically I like to spend my “discretionary” time outside, often as a birdwatcher; however, it is mid-summer and we are deep in drought so not a lot going on other than “resident” species. Therefore, I have selected an assortment of the bird species I have photographed to share with you. The images were shot either in Australia, Belize, or the USA.

Enjoy!