I have a few dozen older blogs from the old East Texas Naturalists site that I will slowly bring over to this one. These are not from the newer site but rather the one from a few years ago. They will also soon appear in print. . . maybe.
Also, do you blog about birding in East Texas or would you like to do so? If so, contact me.
Michael’s Journal
Photography Blogs
Field Notes
Finding More Than Just a Pretty Bird in the Woods
Obviously, most of the people who are in these birding groups find joy in seeing and learning more about birds and birding. When I say "these groups", I mean the Tyler Audubon Society, Birds of East Texas, Birds of Lake O the Pines, and Bald Eagles on Lake of the...
A Typical Morning Photographing Birds
I began September on this day in my somewhat normal routine of going out to my gravity chair that sits about 10 meters, 30 feet, from the water’s edge. This is where I typically spend the first part of the day if I don’t have early morning obligations. Normally that...
Animals Just Won’t Say “Cheese” – Taking Better Nature Photos
(Revised 01-24-20. Originally published 04-18-15) As should be apparent from this blog, I love taking pictures. I always have. At times I have gotten rather serious about it. At one time I had a color darkroom and owned nearly a dozen nice cameras...
A Bald Eagle Sighting Warrants an Elbow in the Ribs
I'm in my normal morning spot sitting by the lake camera in hand, coffee cooling quickly on the table beside me. It ways is like so many mornings that I have sat here. Various species of birds keep flying past. The sun is rising and has lit the entire lake now. Off in...
How Many Focus Points to Use With Birds in Flight
I have listened to a variety of experts, or at least knowledgeable photographers, who give their advice about the number of focus points to use with birds in flight. The vast majority of those photographers suggest using somewhere around nine focus points, depending...
Be a Photographer, Not a Picture Taker
There are purists who only accept the images that come from their cameras as being acceptable. They believe any use of software or electronic filtering to make that image better is cheating. That is just silly and it is not what photography is all about. Instead, it...
Are Protective Filters Necessary?
While birding with friends last week, I was asked a question that I frequently hear? "Do I need to have a UV filter on my lens to protect it?" I am not sure that I really gave him a correct answer. It really isn't a yes or no question. Like so many other things,...
You Don’t Need to Understand the Combustion Engine to Drive a Car – Same For a Camera
You Don’t Need to Understand a Combustion Engine Before You Can Drive a Car People learn in different ways. I am best if you show me what to do and then let me do it. If I want more details about the why’s and the finer issues, I know I can quickly find that detail...
Wrapping Your Hands Around Spring
We had a big storm blow through the Lake O' the Pines area last night. For a while the winds were rather fierce accompanied by a drumming rain that brought a bit of hail and just a touch of thunder and lightening. It was "interesting" for a little while, but nothing...
How to Photograph Bald Eagles: Easy Way to Ensure an Eagle Will Fly By
During this time of the year, I normally start my day sitting at a picnic table watching out over the lake for bald eagles to fly by. In the fall and late winter, I see eagles almost every morning. I wish they were on a timetable, but they come when they choose. What...
A Typical Morning Photographing Birds
I began September on this day in my somewhat normal routine of going out to my gravity chair that sits about 10 meters, 30 feet, from the water’s edge. This is where I typically spend the first part of the day if I don’t have early morning obligations. Normally that...
Animals Just Won’t Say “Cheese” – Taking Better Nature Photos
(Revised 01-24-20. Originally published 04-18-15) As should be apparent from this blog, I love taking pictures. I always have. At times I have gotten rather serious about it. At one time I had a color darkroom and owned nearly a dozen nice cameras...
