April 2016 Viewfinder - Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature

April 2016
Volume 32 Issue 4
The Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers Newsletter
©Ken Baehr 2015
Bosque del Apache National
Wildlife Refuge
A Bird Bonanza
By: John R. DeLapp
Bosque is noted for its huge population of sandhill cranes and “light” geese (snow and Ross’s geese)
that occupy the refuge during the winter months. The refuge keeps track of the bird numbers on a
weekly basis and the count on January 26 of this year showed 1,500 sandhill cranes, 6,400 light geese,
and 10,030 ducks. The count for cranes and geese is usually much higher and refuge staff believe that
mild winter weather this year affected the migration pattern. It is common for the middle Rio Grande
valley plus Bosque to have 30,000 cranes wintering in the area.
The refuge manages ponds and wet lands, and cultivates grain for migrating birds, simulating the natural
flooding, marshes, and food sources historically used by wintering and migrating birds along the Rio
Grande. Most of the historical habitat used by birds has been lost due to flood control, irrigation, and
agriculture. In addition to huge number of bird species, the refuge is home to a number of mammals
including, coyotes, foxes, mule deer, javelina, elk, bobcats, mountain lions, and occasionally bears.
Several miles of roads are open to the public on a daily basis beginning an hour before sunrise and
ending an hour after sunset. The refuge has a number of platforms and boardwalks throughout the road
system for viewing wildlife as well as a number of hiking trails.
(Continued Page 7)
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Calendar of Events
ASONP general membership meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month Oct-May at
the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. The next member meeting will be held on
Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Ray Bulson will present "The stuff dreams are made of, Aerial Drone
Imaging."
The alaskaWILD 2016 exhibition is now on display at Doriolas, 510 W. Tudor Road from April 1
to April 30th, . Stop by, have lunch and check it out.
ASONP
The Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photographers is a non- profit organization with the
purpose of promoting individual self improvement in, and exchanging information about outdoor
and nature photography, promoting ethics among outdoor and nature photographers, assisting
members with marketing and selling their photographs, and informing and educating the public
on outdoor and nature photography. Membership is $25 per year for individuals, $35 per year for
families, and $10 for students. ASONP holds meetings at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the
month from October through May at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, 121 West 7th
Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. The public is welcome to attend all meetings.
Board Members
Ray Bulson - President
(907) 952-2679
rbulson@mac.com
Harry Walker - Vice President
(907) 338-7288
akmedia@ak.net
Glenn Aronwits - Treasurer
(907) 230-6788
info@ga-digitalphotos.com
Roxanne Peter - Secretary
(907) 388-5725
Ken Baehr
Alaska Wild Coordinator
(907) 344-1865
Alan Musy – Webmaster
(907) 244-4079
musya@admphoto.com
Cathy Hart - Workshops & Trips
(907) 337-1669
cathylynnhart@gmail.com
Robin Brandt - Board Member
907 677 6077
robin_brandt@yahoo com
Amber Johnson - Board Member
(907) 244-2688
amberejohnson@hotmail.com
John DeLapp - Board Member
(907) 345-0802
jrdelapp@gci.net
Rick Jobe - Board Member
(907) 903-4380
Viewfinder Editor
Ken Baehr
(907) 344-1865
kbaehr01@gmail.com
Programs
Sanjana Greenhill
(907) 787-9475
The Alaska Society of Outdoor
And Nature Photographers
3705 Arctic Blvd #991
Anchorage, AK 99503
www.asonp.org
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April 2016
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In This Issue
Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, a Bird Bonanza……………................
By: John Delapp.......................................................……………...................Page 1, 7, 8, 10 & 11
Calendar of Events, ASONP Mission Statement, Board of Directors...…......Page 2
Workshops and Outings.........................………………………………......…Page 4 & 5
The Stuff that Dreams are Made of, Aerial Drone Imaging…........................................
By Ray Bulson……………………...................................................................Page 6
Hunt's Member Specials for April.....................................................................Page 9
Business Members 2016
Thank you for all you do. These are the folks that support ASONP
Please Visit their Websites
Alaska Photo Treks: http://alaskaphototreks.com
Auklet Charters: http://auklet.com
Aurora Dora: http://www.auroradora.com
Bennett Images: http://bennettimages.com
Brendan Smith Photography: bsmith@Brendansmith.photography
Ed Boudreau - EAB Photography: edboudreau.artistwebsites.com
Hunts Photo and Video: http://www.huntsphotoandvideo.com
Ike Waits - Denali Guidebook: denaliguidebook.com
Jackie Kramer Photography: jackiekramerphotography.com
Jeff Schultz Photography: http://www.schultzphoto.com
Marion Owen Photography: http://www.marionowenphotography.com
Michael DeYoung Photography: www.michaeldeyoung.com
Ray Bulson/Wilderness Visions: http://www.raybulson.com
Stewart’s Photo: http://www.stewartsphoto.com
Submissions of images and articles to the Viewfinder are happily accepted. Let me rephrase that, “
Please, Please, Please submit images and articles…….to your Viewfinder.
You can submit your articles in Microsoft Word, Pages, or pasted as text into an email. PDF documents
present problems with formatting and editing. Photos should be JPGs sized to 7.5” on the longest side at
144 dpi. This allows me to resize and still print well. If you can put the caption in the metadata, that
works really well. Otherwise, paste them in at the end of your article.
Please let me know how we are doing, and how we can make it better. Without your articles, images,
and suggestions, there would be no Viewfinder.
Thanks so much! Ken Baehr Email: kbaehr01@gmail.com
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April 2016
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WORKSHOP AND OUTING SCHEDULE
FLORAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP & TOUR - June 3-7, 2016
Learn to create artistic images in the gardens of Victoria, British Columbia. Participants will visit 4 - 5
renowned gardens where they will sharpen their photographic skills. Learn different ways of seeing then
move into post-production where various techniques will take images to another dimension. Led by Jackie
Kramer with guest photographer, Hélena Adelmann, from Sweden.
For details and registration go to:
http://jackiekramerphotography.com/victoria-workshop-2016
If you have questions, please contact Jackie at:
jackie@jackiekramerphotography.com or 907-317-4667
Colony Glacier Landscape Photo Workshop with Jeff Schultz June 10 and 11, 2016
Travel by helicopter to a location few get to enjoy. Get more out of your digital camera and learn
new landscape photography techniques while creating stunning summer landscape images. Read the full details at: http://alaskaphototreks.com/home/multi-day-treks/colony-glacierinnerlake-george/
AlaskaBrownBears,GlaciersandFall-ColorsPhotographyWorkshopandTourwithOfficial
PhotographeroftheIditarodJeffSchultz,Sep12–19,2016
Travelbyvan,helicopterandfloatplanetophotographseveralstunningandremoteAlaska
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April 2016
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Michael DeYoung Photography (907) 360-3609
<michael@michaeldeyoung.com>
Mike De Young and his wife Lauri will host two full day photo excursions on a privately chartered
boat taking you to one of the most spectacular places in Prince William Sound - Harriman Fjord.
Gain confidence in your technique and learn techniques to capture captivating images of the
tidewater glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, massive peaks, and marine wildlife from this pristine
Alaskan jewel. For more information, and to register, visit http://goo.gl/R9MbwP
Alaska’s Glaciers in Harriman Fjord with Michael DeYoung
June 7-8, 2016 and June 21-22, 2016
New Session Added
July 12-14
Place: Alyeska Resort
Cost: $350 for members
$400 for non members
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(continued from Page 1) The best time to see and photograph the wintering cranes and geese is
from mid-November to mid-February. A local group holds a “Festival of Cranes” each year in
November. More information about this is available at their website: http://
www.friendsofthebosque.org. Arthur Morris, as well as other photographers, hold workshops there
at various times in the winter.
The refuge touches a corner of the
Chihuahuan desert, and with elevations
ranging from about 4,500 to over 6,000 feet,
has a unique habitat and harsh climate.
Extremes of temperature can be expected in
both winter and summer. On one of my
earlier trips several years ago which took
place in early December, a cold front had
moved through just before I arrived and
dumped several inches of snow in the
refuge. With no snow removal equipment,
the refuge was closed for two days.
Following the snow, clear and intensely
cold weather froze nearly all the water in the ponds and marshes. Many of the cranes spent their
nights in (or near) the Rio Grande while thousands of the water birds were concentrated into a very
small area of steaming open water in the main refuge pond. Despite the below zero temperatures, I
made some of my best Bosque photos during that cold spell. Many other photographers were there
during that cold period and some were dressed in “bunny” boots and arctic parkas – much better
prepared for that kind of weather than this Alaskan! This past February, we had beautiful clear
weather with no snow, but morning temperatures ranging from 10 to 18 degrees. Ponds were
freezing at night and most were thawing in the afternoon. (Continued page 8)
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(Continued from Page 7) The bird photography
during the winter can be spectacular when thousands
of snow geese and cranes are present. The sights and
sounds of thousands of snow geese blasting off a
pond in unison at sunrise are unforgettable.
Capturing this on camera can be challenging when
you know that you might not have another chance
for a blast-off photo during your visit. And of course,
it is great to watch and photograph the cranes as they
fill the morning air with their “croaking” as they
prepare to leave the ponds in small groups to feed in
nearby fields. Then in the evening, they return to the
ponds, floating in with more croaking and landing
gently in the shallow water to roost for the night. It is helpful to pay attention to the direction of the wind
and sun when making flight shots. Ideally, you want the sun and the wind behind you so the birds will be
taking off and landing toward you in good light. I generally have two cameras ready for use – one set up for
wide work and the other ready for telephoto work. Working off the viewing platforms or from the banks of
one of the crane ponds, it is helpful to have a tripod. At times, you can expect to be competing for space
with other photographers. (Continued Page 10)
Sandhill Cranes at Bosque Del Apache
National Wildlife Refuge. © John
Delapp 2016
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April 2016
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Dear favorite Photo People,
Spring has sprung in the Boston area...Time to put away the snow shovels and think photography. Soooooo....here are our April
specials. As always, UPS Ground shipping is FREE in the Lower 48 and there is no sales tax. To order please call me, Alan Samiljan,
at 781-662-8822 or send me an email including your phone number to alansamhunts@gmail.com and I'll call you.
You are in luck! Canon continued their rebate program.Now through April 30, 2016 or until supplies run out we are offering the Canon
Pixma PRO 10 printer at $379.99 before rebate (Canon sells it on their website for $699.99). If you purchase the printer plus a package of
13x19x50 sheets of Canon Semi-Gloss or Luster paper, $50, Canon will send you a $250 mail in rebate! This is a pigment based printer
and is always reviewed very well. Your final cost is $129.99 plus the paper! You can't buy a decent document printer for this price, let
alone an exhibition quality photo printer!
If you'd rather have a printer that will handle up to 17x22" you should consider the NEW Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 17"
Professional Photographic Inkjet Printer. The PRO-1000 uses twelve 80ml ink cartridges which really lower your cost per ml of ink. The
PRO-1000 is $1,299.99.
During April only, inks for the PRO-1000 will be 10% off!
Take 20% off all Think Tank bags
Take 10% off all Induro tripods, monopods, heads and gimbals
Take 10% off all Vu filters and filter systems
Olympus is running instant rebates and bundles on many of their Micro 4/3 bodies and lenses thru April 23. Call me for pricing bundled
specials!
Panasonic is also running instant rebates on many of their Micro 4/3 bodies, lenses, point & shoots and digital camcorders through April
23. Call me for pricing and special bundles!
...and not to be outdone, Fuji is offering instant savings on X-T1 bodies and body/lens kits from April 3-16 only!
Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Contemporary, Canon or Nikon, special price $899
Sigma 150-600mm 5-6.3 DG HSM OS Sport, Canon or Nikon, special price $1,699
NEW Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f/4-6.3 ASPH. POWER O.I.S. Lens, $1,7999.99
NEW Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm f/4 IS PRO Lens, $2,499.99
Just in time for Summer fun, Olympus Tough TG-4, $349.99 through April 23
NEW Sony A6300 body with FREE 16gb SD card, spare battery and Tamrac 5696 bag, $999.999
Sony A7R Mark !! body with FREE 32gb card and spare battery, $3,199.99
Nikon Macro & Portrait Two Lens Kit #13490, $499.95. This kit consists of the following:
•
Nikkor AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens
•
Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 lens
•
Guide to Portrait Photography
•
Guide to Macro Photography
•
Free Online Photo Course
◦
The value of the lenses alone is $709.90, it's a great deal at $499.99. Supplies are limited on this one, no rain checks!
WE STOCK ZEISS LENSES!
In order to receive correct club and workshop special pricing, please be sure to ask for me, Alan Samiljan, at
781-662-8822. My hours are usually everyday except Thursday and Sunday, 9:00-5:30 eastern. If you leave me a message
or send an email, I'll get right back to you.
USED SPECIALS CURRENTLY IN STOCK:
Nikon 400mm f/2.8 FL ED VR Lens (current model!) $9,599
Nikon 80-400mm VR $649
Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS USM $8,499
Canon 500mm f/4.0L IS USM $4,399
Canon 400mm f/5.6L $999
Canon 300mm f/4.0L IS $899
Alan Samiljan
100 Main St.
Melrose, MA 02176
(781) 662-8822
alansamhunts@gmail.com
Olympus M.ZUIKO Digital ED 8mm f/1.8 Fisheye
PRO Lens $699
Panasonic Lumix DMF-G6K with 14-42mm lens
$499
Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH $175
Panasonic Leica 25mm f/1.4 ASPH $489
Fuji X-T1 body $999
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April 2016
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Snow Geese top left
Sandhill Cranes top Right, center
and bottom.
© John Delapp 2016
(Continued Page 11)
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April 2016
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(Continued from Page 10) Traveling to
Bosque has gotten easier now that Alaska
Airlines has a direct flight from Seattle to
Albuquerque. From there it is an easy drive
down I-25 to Socorro where there are a
number of lodging options. I have visited
several times in an RV and found that
camping at the Bosque Birdwatchers RV
Park just 5 miles north of the refuge is a
very convenient location if it is not too cold.
Although while staying there this past
February, we noted that it is for sale so its
future status may be in question.
Have You Renewed Your
Membership Yet?
(We take credit cards at the meetings...)
2016 ASONP Membership
Application
Name_______________________________Home
Phone ________
Address___________________________Work
Phone ___________
City___________________________State________
Zip_______ Email________________________
Website:
_____________________________________________
Newsletters are sent out by e-mail 10 times a year in PDF format.
Dues: Individual ($25) ____ Family ($35) ____
Student ($10) ____Business ($100)
Make checks payable to ASONP and mail to:
The Alaska Society of Outdoor & Nature Photographers
3705 Arctic Blvd. #991 Anchorage, AK 99503