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"Crocus Explosion"
Photograph by: Debbie Jordan
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Spring has finally arrived in the Mid-Atlantic region bringing with it warmer weather and an abundance of new things in nature to photograph. One of the first signs of Spring in my area are the crocuses pushing up through the cold ground. I love the the color of the ones above photographed at Brookside Gardens near Washington, DC. The pop of purple just screams SPRING!
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"Bittern on the Move"
Photograph by: Debbie Jordan
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Eager to get back out in the field, I recently took several trips to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge located near Cambridge, Maryland. On one particular trip, I spotted this American Bittern fishing along the water's edge in a nearby channel. Bitterns tend to be elusive and stay hid away in the marsh vegetation, so I was very surprised to find this one. As the Bittern started to move up the channel in its search for food, it wandered out into the open and was instantly bathed in beautiful golden sunlight - which is, by the way, absolute wonderful lighting for any nature photographer.
If you have ever had the opportunity to watch a Bittern, you would agree that they appear rather awkward and move very slowly and deliberately.... almost creeping through the water. I watched and photographed this Bittern for at least 20 minutes as it crept along the water's edge.
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"Splash of Yellow"
Photograph by: Debbie Jordan
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There are quite a few songbirds that frequent marshy areas in the Spring and Summer. This beautiful male Common Yellowthroat was photographed summer of 2017 at Bombay Hook, a national wildlife refuge area situated along the Delaware Bay. The refuge supports open fields, wooded areas, and several marshy impoundments edging the Bay that provide open wild habitat for native animals and birds as well as respite for migrating birds.
Yellowthroats are quick, skittish little birds that refuse to sit still in one place for very long. I was very pleased that this one cooperated long enough for me to capture this scenic portrait. Side note - Including more of the scenery in an animal portrait gives the viewer a better sense of the size of the subject and its natural habitat.
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"Water"
Photograph by: Debbie Jordan
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I had a little creative fun at the lake in Columbia, Maryland, and captured a close-up of the water. It's always good to broaden your view of what a nature photo "should" and "should not" be. Stretch the norm a little. Look at the scene from a more "abstract" point of view.
Spring and Summer can provide many opportunities to try something new with photography. Whether macro images, scenic portraits, or abstract images, expanding your body of work is always a good thing. Challenge yourself to try something new, you may be surprised at the results. Hope you get outside to enjoy the warmer weather and take in all that nature has to offer. We are convinced that doing this will brighten your day and sooth your soul.
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