Bush Fire – Photo Essay

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I recently observed, from afar unfortunately, a light-crude oil tank fire (and explosion) on Galveston Island which got me to reflecting on a rural fire on and around a ranch we were visiting in King County, Texas in March 2008, and also to ponder the horrific Texas fires of 2011.

Here is my photo-essay of this ranchland fire.

Recent shots from surrounding area.

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

Per a previous “encouragement” by my photography mentor – Wyman Meinzer – to see the beauty where I am, I have been trying to shoot several times each week, regardless of the weather, wind, and anthropomorphic elements cluttering the scene. I figure I better just run with what there is to capture. Here is an assortment which I hope you enjoy.

I reckon you weren't expecting this though! Perhaps Deere & Company would like this one for their advertising? Wishful thinking.

More tractors heading out from the Port of Galveston.

Wetlands proximal to our neighborhood (same area in previous blog: "blessed-rain...").

Same area as above but this time I was going for the "African Serengeti" feel (ignore the modern looking "huts").

Serengeti 'ish. (Smith Point, Galveston Bay).

The view from our back deck/porch - it seems it hasn't been calm for months. The glow on the clouds is a result of Texas City petrochemical plants - thankfully we are located upwind of this.

These lovely White Pelicans are only in the area while they overwinter.

White Pelican preening.

Nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge (BNWR). This area was, until very recently, dry enough to run a tractor and plow through. However, the Houston area has received in excess of 11 inches of rain for the first 8 weeks or so of 2012.

BNWR again.

Endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle in rehabilitation at Texas A&M University at Galveston's Sea Life Facility.

Kemp's Ridley sea turtle (same individual as above).

Cold and foggy morning at Texas A&M University at Galveston campus.

Definitely NOT the Serengeti. This is the same shrimp boat featured in a previous blog ("Texas City Dusk..."). I was limited on time and the clouds were starting to look wonderful so chose to re-shoot the trawler.

Simple but interesting to me.

Sunrise and an offshore rig in Galveston Ship Channel.

Atmospheric clouds - as opposed to the cloud of swarming mosquitos as the missus' and I tried to enjoy a cold beverage watching these clouds and the dusk.

I took this picture on Valentine's Day of two red-eared slider's "smooching" (please indulge my foray into anthropomorphism) - must be a real "toe-curler" of a kiss (check out the right-rear foot of the big one on the right).

Two poems remembering… encouraged by photographs.

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

I was backing up my images recently and came across images of a Bald Eagle and the American Flag. These images inspired me to share two poems I wrote several years ago in response to the horrific, hate-driven attacks on Americans by radical islamic assholes on 9-11.

I find sharing my written words much more… exposing… than sharing my photographic images. These two poems come from different “persons” – the first one is a hypothetical first-person take, supposedly in real-time as the drama occurred. The second poem is partly autobiographical and as such is partly self-judgemental (I was a sailmaker at that time). It is mostly a personal “spew” whereby I vent…

Bald Eagle 2AM-15572

Big Smoke in the Big Apple

Riding the controls
forcing the plane
to bank left
toward my office
window framing the unknown.

I see it coming and am unsure –
surely not. It can’t be. What the hell.
Stupid pilot. Can’t he see he’s too low?
He’s going to crash
into this building, killing
the passengers, killing himself, killing me.
This can’t be a mistake.
It must be terror.

What to do.
How can I think
during the unthinkable.
Do I log off? Do I warn everyone?
Did I tell her I love her?

No time now.
There was
then.
Time wasted.

Big smoke in the Big Apple,
Eden’s fruit now bitten.
Fire and smoke
extremism misinformed – smoke and mirrors
the view as I make the jump.

33 floors
sufficiently long
to
ponder…

Bald Eagle 2AM-15645

9-11

Big smoke in the Big Apple.
Vengeance has spewed itself
and you return to your sewing
ignorant of the stench while others are praying
and saying “let’s roll”.

Ignorance has struck again.
Fire and smoke
extremism misinformed –
smoke and mirrors.
Radical Islam full of hate,
Imam’s non-reflective mirrors leading the blind
pups into peril.

To call them pups is too kind.
They are dogs. They are parasites
blemishing the human complexion.
Merciless in their ignorance,
the promise of future virgins
too much to handle.

Strange really,
they hate women.

Assorted images captured over Christmas

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

During the Christmas 2011 break I took several assorted pictures – separate from those posted in “A bloody cold shoot in the mountains” (see earlier post at https://2amphotography.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/a-bloody-cold-shoot-in-the-mountains/).

The old Dodge pickup truck was rather fascinating to see as it had a lot of “character.” These images are either near Knoxville or the Great Smoky Mountains.

"Frosted". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. Handheld, f16 for 1/60 second at ISO 100.

"Barn". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/80 second at ISO 100.

"Cattails". Canon 7D with Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. f11 for 1/30 second at ISO 100.

"Dodge Truck 1". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f11 for 1/30 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 2". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f5.6 for 1/80 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 3". Canon 7D with Tamron 70-300mm lens. f11 for 1/20 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 4". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f20 for 1/30 second at ISO 500.

"Dodge Truck 5". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. f5.6 for 1/100 second at ISO 500.

"Pileated Woodpecker". Canon 7D with Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L lens. Handheld f7.1 for 1/100 second at ISO 500.

“Creative Context” images.

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Andrew McInnes Photography

This post contains the 27 Creative Context images we have created. Creative Context images are a form of photographic expression that combines nature photography and artistic renderings of background objects to provide creative context. These unique prints are a combination of the photographic works of Andrew McInnes, and the creative drawings of Ken Skinner.

All images Copyright Andrew McInnes/2AM Photography.

Please visit the following website if you wish to purchase prints:
http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/art/all/mixed+mediums+-+pencil+sketch+and+photo/all

We hope you see the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us in this new form of photographic and artistic expression.

Rainbow Lorikeet 2AM-18278

Great Egret 2AM-6394

Northern Jacana 2AM-9481

Carolina Chickadee 2AM-7966

White Ibis 2AM-5771

Australian King Parrot 2AM-18978

Mourning Dove 2AM-7053

Keel-billed Toucan 2AM-9787

Black-bellied Whistling-Duck 2AM-7821

Great Egret 2AM-6751

Eastern Spinebill 2AM-19024

Scarlet Tanager 2AM-6930

Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2AM-104192

Tricolored Heron 2AM-6839

White-bellied Emerald 2AM-9400

Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 2AM-7818

Black-crowned Night-Heron 2AM-3870

Bridled Honeyeater 2AM-19465

Brown Pelican 2AM-6821

Common Moorhen 2AM-4234

Crested Caracara 2AM-7115

Eastern Rosella 2AM-9396

Green Heron 2AM-7848

Northern Cardinal 2AM-10073

Northern Mockingbird 2AM-5645

Pied-billed Grebe 2AM-13179

Red-tailed Hawk 2AM-7746

To purchase prints:
http://andrew-mcinnes.artistwebsites.com/art/all/mixed+mediums+-+pencil+sketch+and+photo/all

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.