10. March 2011 by Friedhelm.

David and I drove to the Merced Game Refuge last Sunday. We were looking for geese but we had no luck. Therefor I was looking for something else and photographed this lone oak tree instead. It is a very “moody” image and has certainly it’s own beauty. Sometimes you have to change plans if your subject is not available.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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3. March 2011 by Friedhelm.

Last night I went back to Merced’s Game Refuge. It is a wonderful place to photograph nature and wildlife. I shot this image right around sunset. The red color in the water and the shadows of the birds make this image. Another interesting dynamic is that the the lower bird is walking towards the lone plant that sticks out of the water. My eyes are constantly wandering to that spot.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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5. February 2011 by David.

On the way home from Merced I decided on a detour to the Merced Wildlife Refuge.

The flocks of geese seemed to have left for the winter. There were a few ducks but they were skittish. I happen to be at the right spot as the sun went down to catch these red winged blackbirds. They weren’t that cooperative but there were enough of them to keep at least a few in the shot.

Since the light was waning I set the ISO at 250, a little higher than normal, using aperture priority of f7.1 the camera came up with, what to me was a surprising, 1/1000 sec. I took this shot with my trusty Canon 50-250mm set at the maximum 250mm.

Keep clicking

Dave

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30. November 2010 by Friedhelm.

Sunsets at the Merced Game Refuge are often spectacular. When David, my wife and I went there we were admiring the rich color contrast. There are the dark brown to black color tones in the front and the light yellow in the sun and in between the blue and gray tones of the water and clouds. In addition I like the implied lines in the clouds. They all serve as leading lines towards the sun.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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19. May 2010 by Friedhelm.

I had to go out last night to the Merced Game Refuge because after the last storm the clouds were just great. This was maybe the last Spring storm and when a high pressure system is in place it is there to stay for a while and clouds are scarce. The image portraits a peaceful mood and is a powerful reminder how precious peace is, especially when we read almost everyday about killings and war in the media.

Have a peaceful day!

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16. May 2010 by David.

I’ve been to the Merced Wildlife Refuge many times and even though there are a lot of rabbits around I’ve never really tried to get a photograph, too fast, too far.

While taking photographs of a wildflower I noticed this rabbit out of the corner of my eye. I expected it to run off so I took a couple of quick photos with the wrong lens. This fellow (?) just stayed there going about his business never more than 10 feet away. I had time to change lenses, set my tripod up and here’s the shot.

f7.1 at 1/250sec, 250mm, ISO 125

Keep clicking

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19. March 2010 by David.

I promised myself I’d stay away from sunsets and landscapes for a while……Oh well……….

A group from the Chowchilla Photo Club went to the Merced Wildlife Refuge last Sunday evening. We got some great shots. Check out our blog at chowchillaphotoclub.wordpress.com. Right after this a huge flock of geese came in while I was having a silly problem with my camera, easily fixed but took just enough time.

F7.1 at 1/80 sec, 47mm at ISO 200

Keep clicking

Dave

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23. January 2010 by David.

I wasn’t able to take the day off to photograph so in the late afternoon I went to the Merced Wildlife Refuge hoping to get some waterfowl photographs. Very few ducks but being a lover of landscapes I still considered the shoot a success.

Looking South, 1/30 sec, f7.1, 130mm, ISO200, tripod mounted

Looking West, 1/100sec, f7.1, 170mm, ISO200, tripod mounted

Keep clicking,

Dave

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20. December 2009 by David.

With the budget crisis in California and the Federal Government the Merced Wildlife Refuge has employed some of the natural residents of the area to help enforce the rules and regulations.

Keep Clicking

Dave

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18. December 2009 by David.

Last Sunday when I was done with my ‘have to’s’ I had just enough time to take a run to the Merced Wildlife Refuge. It rained most of the way up and I could see that the sunset was going to be blocked by heavy clouds. Once I got there the rain stopped and the wind was calm but the sunset was still overcast. However looking to the east I was able to catch this shot of the storm breaking up. F6.3, 1/85 of a sec. 65mm at ISO 400.

Keep Clicking

Dave

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