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May 2018
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DAJ Designs Photography
 
May - An Ocean City Adventure
Tidal Stream
Tidal Stream
Photography by: Benjamin DeHaven
On April 5th, 2018 my mother and I left at 3:00am to arrive at Ocean City, MD before sunrise. The goal was to capture sunrise landscapes, then check out the Inlet for interesting birds. We planned to move on from there up the coast to Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware, and then finally back home again. This route is what I've come to refer to as "The Loop".

After arriving and fumbling with the new automated parking attendants, we set off onto the beach. I was greeted by a sight I have not seen before - a low tide was in progress and it revealed what I'm calling a "tidal river" running up and down the beach. I knew instantly that this was the foreground element I desired! I plopped my tripod down in the saturated sand; all the while my feet were sinking into the wet sand as well. I lined up my shot and fired off a few frames while my socks got soaked. I loved the leading lines of the tidal stream. It was just what I had hoped for, a new composition at a familiar place!
Ocean Overlap
Ocean Overlap
Photography by: Benjamin DeHaven
With feet now soaking wet, I crossed over the tidal stream and walked down to the surf line. The sun was just breaking the horizon, so I shot off a series of frames until I got one in which the ocean looked just right. I wanted patterns, texture, and definition - different from the normal shots I take depicting ethereal waters blurred out by long exposures. After taking this shot, I headed over to meet up with my mother under the pier. She had made it across the tidal stream with feet still dry. I guess I had been too excited and simply crossed wherever, while she found a nice narrow place to jump across. A reminder that I see what I want and go for it, wet socks or not. We hopped back in the car and relocated it to the other side of the Inlet parking, and set off to see what birds the morning would bring.
The Dive
The Dive
Photography by: Debbie Jordan
And the morning did not disappoint! At the mouth of the Inlet was a large flock of Northern Gannet, an unusual sight this close to shore. The birds were clustered in one area feasting on fish just beneath the surface. Dipping, diving, and splashing in the water, a three-ringed circus of birds.  If you've never seen Northern Gannets fish, they soar over the water and then dive into it at high speed - creating a perfect upright splash similar to an Olympic diver. On a scale of 1-10, I would give them each a 10 for diving form. In the photo above, you can see the precise angle and formation of one of the Gannets as it makes its final approach to the water. As you can see from its surroundings, two others had gone before him. In fact, there were so many birds diving for fish that the sight reminded me of the old WWII Gatling guns rapidly firing into the water from above. Sometimes as many as 10 to 12 birds would dive in rapid succession -  and in what appeared to be a straight line! The flock worked its way up the Inlet and then back down the Inlet in a matter of about 40 minutes, and then disappeared out over the ocean.
Hello Handsome
Hello Handsome
Photography by: Debbie Jordan
Once the Gannets were gone, I turned my attention to the other birds fishing the Inlet. This handsome Common Loon in full breeding plumage (pictured above) caught my eye. I photographed him from multiple angles and in many different positions as he moved about the area, frequently diving for fish. I liked this particular shot the best because it shows off the beautiful checkerboard patterned feathers on his back, and the multi-colored rings around the neck. A gorgeous and graceful bird, and one of my favorites.

I was thrilled to see several Common Loons this particular morning. In addition, there were Red-Throated Loons, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Cormorants, several different types of Sea-Gulls, and - as mentioned above - a number of Northern Gannets.
Click on any image above to enlarge.
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http://www.galleryframing.com



Upcoming Art Shows:

Westminster Art in the Park

Saturday, June 2, 2018
10:00am-4:00pm
Westminster MD, 21157
Until Next Time....
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