Cycroft Photography

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67615497204869067382012-01-25T16:09:17.750-05:00Cycroft PhotographyPhotography the Way I See ItRuss Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.comBlogger2061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-17656307922782948392011-07-27T09:59:00.001-04:002011-07-27T10:01:22.559-04:00Trusting Redwinged Blackbird

Denisé and I were on the trail through Hendrie Valley at Burlington, Ontario, where the wild birds can be really friendly. She fed from her hand Chickadees, Gray Catbird, Red-winged Blackbird, and she almost had a Northern Cardinal eating out of her hand as well. Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 Tweet Follow

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-50721791395336409242011-07-26T10:01:00.001-04:002011-07-26T10:01:19.053-04:00Bobolink on fence

This Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) was another “first” from my trip to Carden Alvar at Kirkfield, Ontario. I saw several of these... or the same bird several times. It’s a small blackbird that weighs in at about one ounce. Male birds are black with creamy napes and white scapulars, lower backs and rumps. Females are mostly light brown with black streaks on their backs and flanks, along with

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-9890636128887462812011-07-25T09:30:00.001-04:002011-07-25T09:30:59.075-04:00Bird in hand

This Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) showed some real trust as he/she landed on Denisé’s hand to take some offered seed. This is breeding season and I suppose they’ll take risks for the sake of the hatchlings/fledglings. Tweet Follow @Cycroft © Russell G. Campbell, 2011.All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-38266849000056613562011-07-14T13:19:00.001-04:002011-07-14T13:19:24.422-04:00Northern Cardinal

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-84978472945995568612011-07-12T09:12:00.001-04:002011-07-12T09:12:01.492-04:00Eastern Bluebird

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-63938129202704236562011-07-11T07:48:00.001-04:002011-07-11T07:48:10.181-04:00Eastern Bluebird

The Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) is one of the birds I most look forward to seeing each spring. I saw this one near its nesting box on the Carden Alvar last June. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x teleconverter from backseat of our car 1/640 sec, f/5.6, ISO 320 Tweet Follow @Cycroft © Russell G. Campbell, 2011.All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-6280708606717144812011-07-09T06:34:00.001-04:002011-07-09T06:34:03.846-04:00Tree Swallow

I spent a couple of days with Denisé at the Carden Alvar exploring the region for the first time and birding. In early June, Carden Alvar near Kirkfield, Ontario, Canada, is one of the best places in the world (literally) for birds—the place is quite alive with them. The Carden Alvar is designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. Unfortunately, we arrived late in the

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-16505367072742500072011-07-06T10:20:00.001-04:002011-07-06T10:20:48.499-04:00Squirrels

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-34980575687812834002011-07-05T10:39:00.001-04:002011-07-05T10:39:56.183-04:00Upland Sandpiper

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-24579307153330414752011-07-04T07:28:00.001-04:002011-07-04T07:31:25.156-04:00Horned Grebe

The Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) is a frequent sight in my area. It is a small waterbird with small head and short, thin bill. During the breeding season, the Horned Grebe develops “horns”, yellowish patches of feathers behind its eyes that it can raise and lower at will. To all American visitors, have a terrific Independence Day. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens + TC-17E

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-89538016568493136332011-07-02T11:31:00.001-04:002011-07-02T11:31:49.599-04:00Bufflehead Duck

The Bufflehead Duck (Bucephala albeola) is the little butterball of the duck family. It is Canada’s smallest diving duck and a favourite subject for nature photographers. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens + TC-17E II 1.7x teleconverter, handheld1/800 sec, f/4.8, ISO 200 Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens + TC-17E II 1.7x teleconverter, handheld1/500 sec, f/4.8,

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-57797329403904610772011-07-01T10:14:00.001-04:002011-07-01T10:14:59.180-04:00Ring-billed Gull

The Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is another of the commonplace birds that don’t get enough respect. The fact that they are aggressive and can be a nuisance also doesn’t help their cause. Tweet Follow @Cycroft © Russell G. Campbell, 2011.All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-64983478989866829702011-06-30T09:59:00.001-04:002011-06-30T10:02:40.030-04:00Robin on Sumac

There is an old saying: Familiarity breeds contempt. Many of our local birds suffer from this. Mallards, Canada Geese, Sparrows, Red-winged Blackbirds and the ubiquitous American Robin, to name a few. If these birds were fewer in number, they’d get more attention from photographers, because they are all so beautiful. The American Robin is a member of the thrush family, but was named after the

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-47209333063783645432011-06-29T07:40:00.001-04:002011-06-29T07:40:07.031-04:00A bird in hand

This Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) showed some real trust as he/she landed on Denisé’s hand to take some offered seed. This is breeding season and I suppose they’ll take risks for the sake of the hatchlings/fledglings. Nikon D300 DSLR with Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens 1/500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200, handheld Tweet Follow @Cycroft © Russell G. Campbell, 2011.All rights reserved. The

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-71412836551887135282011-06-27T12:14:00.001-04:002011-06-27T12:14:45.669-04:00White-crowned Sparrow

One of the many little creatures with which we share our garden. This past spring we have had doves, American Gold Finches, Northern Cardinals, White-crowned Sparrows, rose-breasted Grosbeaks, House Finches, American Robins, assorted sparrows, crackles, Red-winged Blackbirds, Grey and Black Squirrels, Cottontail Rabbits, raccoons, skunks, voles...and I've probably missed a few, especially night

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-9665401697174539152011-05-16T10:32:00.001-04:002011-05-16T10:32:54.671-04:00Northern Cardinal

The Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a mid-sized songbird in the genus Cardinalis. It is found in southern Canada and the United States, and can also be found in parts of the Hawaii Islands. Its habitat includes woodlands, gardens, shrub-lands, swamps and my backyard. The Northern Cardinal has a distinctive mask on its face, black for the male and gray for the female. The male (

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-25638866650620477642011-05-14T11:20:00.001-04:002011-05-14T11:20:36.683-04:00Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) is a songbird of the cardinal (Cardinalidae) family. These photographs are of a male, the female is striped and rather drab looking in comparison—rather like a large sparrow or finch. A common bird of forests and second growth, the grosbeak’s song is a subdued mellow warbling, not unlike that of the American Robin. © 2011

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-33007683812046200942011-03-16T12:54:00.001-04:002011-03-16T12:54:57.252-04:00American Black Ducks

Pair of American Black Ducks—drake in the foreground. So much like the female Mallard and with so many Mallard-Black hybrids around it can be challenging to distinguish these. This pair looks like the real thing to me. The American Blacks were once more plentiful in this area but are being pushed out by the Mallard Duck. The Mallard male is far more colourful, of course, but the Blacks remain a

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-2821749909346866272011-03-15T12:18:00.001-04:002011-03-15T12:18:45.508-04:00Trumpeter Swan — tragedy at La Salle Marina

The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) highlighted in this post is a member of the La Salle swans which winter at that marina here at Burlington, Ontario. Tragedy struck recently when a foolish woman, intent on getting an in-flight photograph of a swan, took a run at the big birds to frighten them and have them take wing. TRUMPETER SWAN (Cygnus buccinator) Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-68561209227607423322011-02-17T12:14:00.001-05:002011-02-17T12:14:21.356-05:00Ring-billed Gull

The Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) is another of those birds for which familiarity has bred a degree of contempt. It’s too bad really since this is a handsome creature that makes a nice subject for photographers.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-87348491537146726572011-02-13T08:27:00.001-05:002011-02-13T08:34:25.941-05:00Mallard on the wing

Another female mallard. I like the play of light on this one—I added the vignette effect. For this photograph, I’m using my now favourite walking-around lens combination: Nikon AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8 lens + TC-17E II 1.7x teleconverter (handheld). This gives me a relatively light—about five pounds with camera, etc.—combination and 340mm of “reach”, which is pretty good when considering it’s the

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-57407774591504375442011-01-26T13:58:00.001-05:002011-01-26T13:58:52.580-05:00Mallard on a rock

Any walk along the shore of Lake Ontario will almost certainly result in the sight of a Mallard with its colourful plumage. This one had climbed out of the frigid December water to enjoy the warming rays of the sun. MALLARD DRAKE (Anas Platyrhynchos) Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm VR f/2.8 lens+ TC-17E II 1.7x teleconverter handheld1/1250 sec, f/4.8, ISO 500 © 2011 Russell G.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-58470055023108658392011-01-11T12:05:00.001-05:002011-01-11T12:05:44.264-05:00Photo of a Bufflehead Drake

This photograph will give you an idea of the many colours that can be found in the head and neck of the Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) Canada’s smallest diving duck and close relative of the Goldeneye. The image was made earlier this winter here in Burlington. BUFFLEHEAD DRAKE Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens + 1.4x teleconverter (handheld) 1/2500 sec, f/4, ISO 320

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-67188450997466205972011-01-10T14:35:00.001-05:002011-01-10T14:35:23.536-05:00Black-capped Chickadee

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-37336621254198214882011-01-09T14:26:00.001-05:002011-01-09T14:26:26.178-05:00Photo of Great Egrets fishing

It is not so common to see Great Egrets fishing so closely to each other. On this day there were about a dozen fishing together on a large pond. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/125 sec, f/5.6, ISO 250 © 2011 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-17264761972769747462011-01-08T12:51:00.001-05:002011-01-08T12:51:44.263-05:00Just another Mallard photo

Just another Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos) …don't you love the way those two tail feathers curl up on the breeding males? Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + 1.4x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 200 © 2011 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-83860418018042789372011-01-07T12:12:00.001-05:002011-01-07T12:12:37.922-05:00Photo of a Mallard conductor

Doesn’t this little lady look like she’s the leader of the band, conducting the duck symphony? MALLARD DUCK (Anas platyrhynchos) Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + 1.4x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/1000 sec, f/4, ISO 200 © 2011 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-21067788471654522142011-01-06T13:52:00.001-05:002011-01-06T13:52:21.880-05:00My new book, Cycroft Birds

I’m very pleased to announce that I’ve published my first book of digital prints. Here’s a short promo: 'The amazing variety and beauty of birds can quickly become a daily fascination. Many are the subjects of my new book, Cycroft Birds, a 134-page compilation of my favourite images of birds that reside in or pass through Ontario, Canada. Over 130 colour images of birds: if you like

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-53652579630854347682011-01-05T11:43:00.001-05:002011-01-05T11:43:55.598-05:00Photo of a Bufflehead Duck

This is one of my last bird photographs for 2010. I like the shot because the light shows off the multi-coloured nature of this Bufflehead’s head and neck. It is Canada’s smallest diving duck and a close relative of the popular Goldeneye. These little butterballs make their appearance in numbers in Burlington every winter—definitely something that makes the cold weather worthwhile.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-48141671975052751232011-01-04T07:34:00.001-05:002011-01-04T07:34:24.540-05:00Photo of Trumpeter Swans in flight

First photo of 2011: one pair from the dozens of Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) that spend their winter here in Burlington at LaSalle Park on Lake Ontario. These birds are tagged for identification purposes and banded on their legs: right leg for males, left for females. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + 1.4x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-9680040942227165922010-12-24T06:21:00.001-05:002010-12-24T06:21:28.462-05:00Merry Christmas!

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-71012336451469963452010-12-23T07:26:00.001-05:002010-12-23T07:26:41.414-05:00Photo of Hooded Merganser

This duck has eluded my camera for years. Either I don't have a camera with me when I spot one or it's out of range. This fellow was just barely in range for my latest walking-around set-up (70-200 + 1.7x TC), but it's the best I've got …so far. HOODED MERGANSER (Lophodytes cucullatus) Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens + TC-17E II 2x teleconverter (handheld) 1

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-13223986128149225312010-12-22T11:27:00.001-05:002010-12-22T11:27:56.530-05:00Photo of Eastern Phoebe

The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) is a small passerine and one of the flycatchers that breeds in eastern North America. The Eastern Phoebe sings its familiar “fee-bee” song throughout Ontario in spring and summer. They arrive early in the spring and their late departure allow them to nest twice a season. Bees and wasps are favorite food of Eastern Phoebes, along with beetles, butterflies,

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-91590173170914972212010-12-21T11:43:00.001-05:002010-12-21T11:43:02.171-05:00Mallard and friend

The following photos are of a Mallard drake (Anas Platyrhynchos) and a domestic duck that seems to have joined the flock of wild birds. Almost all varieties of domesticated ducks are descended from the Mallard, apart from the Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata), so it’s not so unusual for a domesticated duck to return to the wild and join it’s free-roaming relatives. The domesticated duck seems to

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-6464621743434094082010-12-20T16:02:00.001-05:002010-12-20T16:02:24.763-05:00Photos of birds in flight

Here is a sequence of several birds in flight that I took over the past couple of weeks. Birds in flight give one the opportunity to discover areas of the plumage of various birds that are not always obvious when the bird is perched or swimming, and colours that are not otherwise seen become visible. These are wild birds, but in the final image there is a domestic duck (left) beside a Mallard

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-37703339656282055272010-12-20T10:38:00.001-05:002010-12-20T10:38:18.889-05:00Great Egret

The Great Egret (Ardea alba) was a common sight this past fall in Burlington. These birds were seen in the shallow ponds at the widening of Grindstone Creek at Valley Inn on the border of Hamilton and Burlington in Ontario, Canada. At one point, I observed 11 of these giant white beauties all within camera range. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-58617909240867667342010-12-19T07:20:00.001-05:002010-12-19T07:21:55.873-05:00Photo of a Chickadee

T he Black-capped Chickadee is found throughout Canada, from the island of Newfoundland to the British Columbia coast (except for the coastal islands) and northwards to the southern Yukon and Northwest Territories. It lives in tree-covered areas, including woodlots and orchards, often digging nest-holes in the rotting wood of trees. They are a common sight in my area year-round. They are tiny,

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-89470425106822348232010-12-17T12:54:00.001-05:002010-12-17T12:54:19.333-05:00Peregrine Falcon

This shot, taken in the rain, is of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) who lives at Mountsberg Raptor Centre, a part of Mountsberg Conservation Area located at Campbellville (Milton), Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately, many of the Raptor Centre’s resident birds have injuries that have left them incapable of surviving on their own in the wild. PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) Nikon D300

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-11932275814557923242010-12-16T13:10:00.001-05:002010-12-16T13:10:51.560-05:00Photo of Bufflehead ducks

Late-fall and cold winter days are made more pleasant by the presence of the sort of waterfowl we do not see in the warm weather months. At this time of the year, ducks, geese, swans and dozens of other types of waterfowl flock to our corner of Lake Ontario either as transients or as winter residents. Among these are numerous Bufflehead ducks. From a distance, Buffleheads might look like black

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-53217791518375815292010-12-15T09:29:00.001-05:002010-12-15T09:29:02.515-05:00Photos of Goldeneye ducks

We who live in Ontario are fortunate to have so many types of waterfowl over-winter in our province. Burlington, situated as it is at the extreme north-western end of Lake Ontario, becomes the temporary home of hundreds of waterfowl covering dozens of species. Among the nicest to photograph is the Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), a medium-sized duck with a chunky body and large

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-24125517282077143162010-12-14T10:54:00.001-05:002010-12-14T10:54:30.251-05:00Photo of a Bufflehead duck

The more I use it, the more I like the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. Its versatility is virtually unlimited, especially when mated with teleconverters of various strengths and the 1.5x crop factor of Nikon's DX format. I used a 1.4x teleconverter for this image at La Salle Park. BUFFLEHEAD (Bucephala albeola) Nikon D300 DSLR AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G IF-ED lens Kenko

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-21923042763760697772010-12-13T07:25:00.001-05:002010-12-13T07:25:12.927-05:00Photo of Trumpeter Swan cygnet

This cygnet is a member of the herd of Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) at La Salle Park in Burlington on the shores of Lake Ontario, and is a product of Ontario's Trumpeter Swan Restoration project. Swans from the restoration project don't know how to fully migrate. However, they need to winter in a place with open water shallow enough to tip to the bottom for food. La Salle Park provides

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-64656159504956897872010-12-09T12:41:00.001-05:002010-12-09T12:41:59.677-05:00Photo of Kokanee the Cougar

The Cougar (Puma concolor), also known as puma or mountain lion is our country’s largest cat—and a beautiful one at that. This eight-year-old is named Kokanee. He was born in captivity and hand raised. For this reason he cannot live in the wild and so he is a permanent resident at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre in Ontario, Canada. Quite extraordinarily, Kokanee is housed with his best friend

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-12695323621838406992010-12-08T15:17:00.001-05:002010-12-08T15:17:17.504-05:00Photo of Grey Wolf

This fellow lives at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre in Ontario, Canada. I attended a photography workshop there several months ago led by wildlife photographer Raymond Barlow (raymondbarlowworkshops.blogspot.com). Some of the resident animals are ex-pets or were abandoned, while others were injured in the wild and are now un-releasable. For the workshop, we were allowed inside the very large

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-52737985742183002922010-12-07T12:32:00.001-05:002010-12-07T12:32:49.275-05:00Photo of Chipmunk

This little fellow was seen on a recent walk in the west-end of Burlington, near Lake Ontario. I’m using my walk-about gear which is light-weight for carrying and hand-holding: Nikon D300 DSLR and Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens plus a Kenko 1.4x teleconverter. CHIPMUNK Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens Kenko 1.4x teleconverter 1/400 sec, f/4, ISO

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-60254106359478765042010-11-05T11:01:00.001-04:002010-11-05T11:01:59.978-04:00Photo of Great Egret in the pre-sunset light

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-60706254284252882592010-11-04T14:30:00.001-04:002010-11-04T14:30:08.453-04:00Photo of Great Egret fishing

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-45548615868549825532010-10-29T11:42:00.001-04:002010-10-29T11:42:16.140-04:00Photo of a Great Egret

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-16983917941821658382010-10-28T09:52:00.001-04:002010-10-28T09:52:03.091-04:00Fall wildlife images

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-20212969061799684242010-10-27T15:02:00.001-04:002010-10-27T15:02:52.235-04:00Test post

claim token G53ZAD3VNG6C

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-4563530577666341792010-10-27T10:38:00.001-04:002010-10-27T10:38:32.437-04:00Photo of a Black-capped Chickadee

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-70059115973978770932010-10-20T06:18:00.001-04:002010-10-20T06:18:19.090-04:00Wood Duck IV

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-71198048402103105252010-10-18T18:03:00.001-04:002010-10-18T18:03:34.938-04:00Wood Duck III

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-64546494774351294852010-10-17T08:04:00.001-04:002010-10-17T08:06:07.529-04:00Wood Duck II

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-49152159935802717492010-10-15T16:00:00.001-04:002010-10-15T16:00:12.966-04:00Wood Duck photo

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-55521038252410615402010-10-15T11:42:00.001-04:002010-10-15T11:42:05.804-04:00Photos of Mute Swans

The Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) is a species of swan that is an introduced species in North America, including Ontario. As its name ‘mute’ implies, it is less vocal than other swan species. Measuring 125 to 170 centimeters (49 to 67 in) in length, this large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange bill bordered with black and with a pronounced knob atop its bill. The Mute Swan is

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-49651508473780296732010-10-14T09:50:00.001-04:002010-10-14T09:50:23.036-04:00Great Egret with fish

The Great Egret (Ardea alba), also known as the Great White Egret or Common Egret, is fairly common in my neck of the woods, though not as common as the closely related Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). It is sometimes confused with the Great White Heron in Florida, which is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron. The name, Great White Heron, is occasionally used (incorrectly) to refer to the

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-1074023630863107652010-10-14T06:10:00.001-04:002010-10-14T06:10:35.826-04:00Chickadees: bold little beauties

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-14204376264613650832010-10-13T13:54:00.001-04:002010-10-13T14:13:35.690-04:00Remembering spring

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-73219898111710431532010-10-13T11:46:00.001-04:002010-10-13T11:58:34.862-04:00House Wren in a hole

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-41976745535096101602010-10-13T10:32:00.001-04:002010-10-13T10:32:07.386-04:00Bald Eagle photo

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-57643950196361367172010-10-12T15:13:00.001-04:002010-10-12T15:16:20.836-04:00Chickadee with a snack

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-4790226064591609192010-10-12T14:54:00.001-04:002010-10-12T14:54:52.498-04:00White bird & water patterns

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-90791271997429057742010-10-12T11:08:00.001-04:002010-10-12T14:23:31.745-04:00Great Blue Heron photos

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-2330772460129232222010-10-11T09:22:00.001-04:002010-10-11T09:22:26.139-04:00Photo of Great Blue Heron

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-45053128828137855252010-10-10T12:35:00.001-04:002010-10-10T12:35:35.413-04:00Great Egret

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-87259069967586833172010-10-07T10:52:00.001-04:002010-10-07T10:52:42.409-04:00Northern Cardinal

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-41935400962159722402010-10-06T15:57:00.001-04:002010-10-06T15:57:05.243-04:00Great Egret fishing with onlookers

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-29550323438217644702010-10-06T10:33:00.001-04:002010-10-06T10:33:28.624-04:00Mallard in pond

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-11786852064687255292010-10-05T12:45:00.001-04:002010-10-05T12:47:54.303-04:00Great Egret

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-33245001840284072502010-10-04T11:42:00.001-04:002010-10-04T11:42:21.697-04:00Barn Owl

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-7058054826586148932010-09-30T14:29:00.001-04:002010-09-30T14:29:57.153-04:00Photo of Bald Eagle in flight

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-14534125093710194862010-09-29T13:56:00.001-04:002010-09-29T13:56:43.712-04:00Photo of baby American Kestrel

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-78323799711001498012010-09-21T06:48:00.001-04:002010-09-21T06:48:12.408-04:00Pileated Woodpecker at the nest

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-66711531243295394582010-09-20T09:58:00.001-04:002010-09-20T09:58:18.552-04:00Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-91373374495513431912010-09-19T07:03:00.001-04:002010-09-19T07:04:37.168-04:00Photo: Barn Owl in the Rain

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-30202081894758330422010-09-17T11:26:00.001-04:002010-09-17T11:26:38.767-04:00Photo of baby Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-12140424617826003652010-09-16T14:07:00.001-04:002010-09-16T14:07:22.130-04:00Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-57801363684553635802010-09-16T11:27:00.001-04:002010-09-16T11:29:05.200-04:00Black and white photography, with a twist

Black and white (almost) photography experiment using one of my grand-daughters as a model. The original is a digital colour image, which I completely de-saturated then added back some red. Nothing unique or revolutionary here, but I do like the result. © 2010 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-33666123597140725032010-09-15T15:39:00.001-04:002010-09-15T15:39:13.549-04:00Nikon announces its D7000, a D90 digital SLR replacement

Nikon has announced the D7000, an upgrade option for D90 and D5000 users. The new model occupies a position in Nikon’s DSLR lineup, between the D90 and D300S. The D7000 is a very close match for the D90, its overall ‘feel’, however, is considerably more serious. Thanks to a magnesium alloy body shell and thicker rubber coating on the hand grip and rear of the camera, the new model seems further

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-63844139767897413072010-09-10T14:04:00.001-04:002010-09-10T14:06:22.783-04:00Another photo of Golden Eagle

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-36038512845730502122010-09-10T11:27:00.001-04:002010-09-10T12:03:27.600-04:00Photo of Golden Eagle

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-58080821027613393372010-09-06T07:47:00.001-04:002010-09-06T07:47:08.363-04:00Water Lily

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-49244249474579095302010-09-03T11:50:00.001-04:002010-09-03T11:50:39.896-04:00Photo of American Kestrel

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-34643772985533076902010-09-02T11:53:00.001-04:002010-09-02T11:53:24.612-04:00Photo of Great Horned Owl

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-74116606261044943272010-09-01T11:04:00.001-04:002010-09-01T11:04:16.320-04:00Barn at Troy, Ontario

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-46042967129364162942010-08-30T08:36:00.001-04:002010-08-30T08:36:09.076-04:00Photo of a Blue Jay

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-61607309475535344732010-08-27T10:32:00.001-04:002010-08-27T10:32:24.070-04:00Photos of Niagara Falls

Above: American Falls (large waterfall on the left) and Bridal Veil Falls (smaller waterfall on the right) taken from the Canadian side. Above: Horseshoe Falls (Canadian Falls)—the boats filled with people help to show the grandeur of the Canadian Falls at Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Above: Horseshoe Falls with a bit of the Niagara Falls, Ontario skyline, including the casino

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-67045678930414489812010-08-26T14:04:00.001-04:002010-08-26T14:04:58.700-04:00Canon’s new EOS 60D announced

Canon has announced its EOS 60D, a mid-level digital SLR camera that replaces Canon’s EOS 50D. However, the 60D does not seem to be a follow-on to its predecessor model. Following the launch of its EOS 7D, Canon has now repositioned the 60D in the market rather than making it a simple upgrade to its predecessor. Canon has made the 60D a smaller camera than the 50D and given it a plastic body

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-63395021504847359892010-08-26T10:31:00.001-04:002010-08-26T10:31:05.841-04:00Photos of a Monarch and a Painted Lady butterfly

The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), which is pictured below, is famous for its southward migration in the fall and northward return in the spring and summer. This cycle spans the life of three or four generations of the butterfly. Monarchs migrate from southern Canada to wintering sites in central Mexico. In late winter and early spring, mating occurs and the females begin seeking out

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-59001178339094818352010-08-23T11:04:00.001-04:002010-08-23T11:04:45.555-04:00Award winning photo of Northern Flicker

This photo of a Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) was selected as “Bird of the Week” and appears on the home page of All About Birds—an online bird resource from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology—for the week of Aug 19-25, 2010. Nikon D300 DSLR with Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens 1/1000 sec, f/3.5, ISO 200 © 2010 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-84093603105929870462010-08-22T12:03:00.001-04:002010-08-22T12:03:45.302-04:00Photo of Great Blue Heron at Valley Inn

So close yet so far. Even my 900mm (35mm equivalent) was not quite enough for this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). Oh, well… Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400 © 2010 Russell G. Campbell All rights reserved.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-64399022809176626042010-08-21T11:05:00.001-04:002010-08-21T11:05:04.905-04:00Great Blue Heron

There were, at least, four of these Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) at Valley Inn, Burlington/Hamilton, Ontario, Canada yesterday evening, along with an active Osprey and some Night Herons. Unfortunately, they were all a long way off. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/400 sec, f/5.6,

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-71452441114998366092010-08-20T14:40:00.001-04:002010-08-20T14:40:01.753-04:00Photo of a Scarlet Tanager

Not many birds can compete with the Scarlet Tanager as a photographer's model. The photo below shows one of them in full spring/early-summer plumage, probably on the way to feed hungry youngsters in the nest. Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 300mm f/2.8 lens + TC-20E III 2x teleconverter on tripod with Jobu Black Widow HD gimbal head 1/80 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400 © 2010 Russell G.

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-74263526130778240372010-08-20T11:07:00.001-04:002010-08-20T11:07:31.770-04:00New lenses from Nikon: AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

Nikon Corporation has announced three new FX-format lenses. The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G is a fast, mid-telephoto prime lens with a large maximum aperture and beautiful blur characteristics. The AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR is a 5X standard zoom lens with a fixed maximum aperture of f/4 throughout its entire zoom range. This lens features a Nano Crystal Coat on some lens elements for finer,

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-13759526541365888422010-08-19T12:25:00.001-04:002010-08-19T12:34:09.997-04:00Photo of an American Kestrel

The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the world’s most colourful raptor and we in Canada are fortunate that it is the most common falcon seen in North America. This tiny falcon is found from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, and in towns as well as wild lands. Nikon D300 DSLR with 300mm f/4 lens 1/400 sec at f/4.0, ISO 280 Most of the American Kestrels breeding in Canada migrate south

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-49385581918778133142010-08-18T14:49:00.001-04:002010-08-18T14:54:57.776-04:00Photos: Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake (NOTL) was the first capital of Upper Canada (Ontario). The town is situated along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario about a 20-minute drive from Niagara Falls. The town has only some 15,000 residents, but over 3 million visitors each year. Clock tower on Queen Street at centre of town (Main street) The original site was a Neutral Nation village known as Onghiara .

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-6288120767583842202010-07-30T09:25:00.001-04:002010-07-30T09:25:18.097-04:00Photo of Cougar

This Cougar (Puma concolor) is a resident of the Muskoka Wildlife Centre at Gravenhurst, Ontario. His name is Kokanee and, curiously, he shares his enclosure with his best friend, Kootenay, a black bear. Kokanee was born in captivity and hand raised so cannot live on his own in the wild. In this shot he’s searching for small bits of meat that have been thrown to him. I was allowed inside the

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-66510890787345787702010-07-29T14:56:00.001-04:002010-07-29T14:56:10.600-04:00Photos of Timber Wolves

These Timber Wolves (Canis lupus) live at the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. I was on a workshop led by Ray Barlow last fall and our group was allowed into the wolf enclosure to take photographs. These wolves, although not exactly tame, have become used to humans and tolerate them in their enclosure—under supervision. It was cold and overcast so high ISO settings were called for since the wolves never

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6761549720486906738.post-65324663062120677092010-07-28T11:50:00.001-04:002010-07-28T11:50:51.448-04:00Photos from Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) at Burlington, Ontario

Mauve Water Lily Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens at 70mm, 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 Oriental Herald Lily Nikon D300 DSLR Nikon AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8 lens at 200mm, 1/320 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200 These beautiful flowers were seen on a walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens located at Burlington and neighbouring Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The RBG has a reputation

Russ Campbellhttps://profiles.google.com/113059136148544858389noreply@blogger.com0