Net Watchers
This Great Blue Heron found the perfect perch on the bow of this skiff, joined by an Osprey atop a nearby pole, each patiently watching and waiting for their lunch from this fish net on the upper Rappahannock River.
Specs: Nikon D7000, 300 mm, F/5.7, 1/1250, ISO 400.
© R C Norman Photography, July 2012
Ghosts in the Dust
My first car was a 1968 Ford Mustang — a classic by the time I owned it when I was in college. I loved that car and hated to part with it. Years later, while vacationing in the Southwest with my family, I came face-to-face with the source of my first car’s model name. Yes, the wild Mustang. She came out of no where along with a few of her friends while we were driving at a sight-seeing pace near Monument Valley in Arizona. I stopped the car and jumped out with my Nikon D50 and began firing off the shutter.These beautiful, spirited animals circled us and our rental SUV for a few moments and then were gone as quickly as they came — ghosts in the dust. This shot, I thought, captured the grace and splendor of this fine horse and the magical moment it had for me and my family. July 25, 2006. Near Monument Valley, Arizona.
Nikon 55 mm, F/10, 1/250.
Unlucky Fish
I had ventured off the beaten path of the shoreline trail along Dublin Bay, to catch a closer look at a Grey Heron that was feeding in the shallows. I found a nice perch on a concrete jetty where I could sit and watch this graceful bird. As I was texting my girlfriend on my iPhone, I heard a loud splash in the water that nearly startled me. When I looked up, I saw a disturbance in the water about 30 meters from me and knew something large had surfaced and submerged before I could catch a glimpse. I immediately aimed my Nikon in that direction and waited. A moment later, I snapped this photo as a sea lion broke water again showing me his dinner. He surfaced several times, until alas he swallowed the fish whole and was gone. I waited for more activity, but the tide was receding and soon the inlet would be a mudflat. He and any others had moved out to deeper waters.
Early Morning Visitor
This fellow rested for a brief moment on my boat’s weathered teak rail early one morning before moving on with the day’s delights.
Broad Creek, Deltaville, Virginia, May 28, 2011
Nikon 105 mm, F/7.1, 1/200, ISO 200
Mirror Image
This Great Blue Heron created a mirror image reflection of itself in the glass-like water of Broad Creek one early morning as it took off and glided effortlessly, it’s wingtips nearly touching the surface.
Deltaville, Virginia
May 28, 2011
Nikon 105 mm, F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 1600
Osprey
I was standing on the dock with my Nikon when this Osprey, with its 9-foot wingspan, glided right above me so close I could see the detail of its fanned tail feathers.
May 28, 2011
Nikon 62 mm, F/8, 1/1000, ISO 400
Twilight Swim
A lone duck silently gliding across Broad Creek one evening caught my eye as I was relaxing on the bridge of my boat with a glass of wine. I reached for my Nikon and captured the image of this waterfowl isolated by the expanse of blue water that held it.
May 28, 2011
Nikon 105 mm, F/9, 1/320, ISO 100
Blue Heron Takes Flight
Yes, a faster lens and shutter speed would have made this a sharper photo, but the limitations of equipment did not stop me from capturing the grace and splendor of this majestic bird as it took flight one early morning from its habitat on Broad Creek. Deltaville, Virginia
May 28, 2011
Nikon 105 mm, F/5.6, 1/125, ISO 1600
A Grand View
This brave squirrel sat confidently on the edge, taking in the view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Even nature can admire itself!
July 28, 2006
Nikon 55 mm, F/10, 1/320
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron on Broad Creek, Deltaville, Virginia
June 21, 2011
Nikon 165 mm, F/11, 1/400, ISO 400
In My View 