Manatee-A Clear Morning

Here is my personal fav photo from two ams ago (when Jeff/Michelle went also)

I've done a full post and about 15 photos and a story from the morning on my site here

It is so interesting to learn from other photographers and see how various conditions are addressed to tell the "photo story". This photograph below, that I took to showcase the artful nature of the favorite manatee pastime *scratching*, was taken just a couple minutes apart from Jeff's first photo of mom/baby. I think due to the lovely clear, blue water, that Jeff's approach of bumping the ISO and capturing the clarity of the water was very effective. I was still attempting to include sky too early in the am, I think, as the water is still too dark to properly expose the sky (in the photograph below). On the other hand, if you catch the rising sun-rays - then it is all worth it. In this case the sun didn't make a dramatic appearance because of a small amt of lingering clouds. In those conditions I liked what Jeff did with the ISO and not including any sky. Then later on things even out much nicer! As said it is extremely rare these days for this clear water, with this many manatee to come together. I haven't seen a perfect day like this for a year and only saw more manatee in the back of the springs with clear, blue water almost two years ago. A day to treasure for sure! Here are a couple more photos and the rest on my site. Congrats to Jeff on his great shots also!! Best, Carol

Early am photo - this particular manatee has been enjoying her fav tree branch! This is photo I took just before/after the time Jeff was photoing the mom/baby nursing. Shows the interesting varying exposures, etc I think, early in the am.

About an hour later the little calf with his mom have been swimming around the springs, eating, resting and the little one exploring.

But the mom did a roll while swimming with baby and revealed the "inconvienent truth"..., manatee in the springs are lovely and it makes ugly, human-casued scars, even more disturbing.

These are lovely - thanks for posting. I would love to photograph these amazing creatures. Maybe one day!

I just love that little baby! #3 is my favorite. You have so many great shots of these guys Carol.

Wow some beautiful pictures Carol, little calf with his mom is my fav

Great stuff, as always, Carol!

Great stuff Carol. Were you using your new 10-17? The top 3 images are my favorites.

Steve

Great stuff Carol. Were you using your new 10-17? The top 3 images are my favorites.

Steve

Thanks, Steve, Jeff and everyone,

Yes Steve, I use the 10-17. I've used it exclusively on manatee since first using it in January '08 on my d200. The Tokina is now so much easier to use on the d300 because the camera focus is sooooo much improved, better ISO, etc. Alex Mustard also used the 10-17 exclusively on manatee when he came last January. He thinks it is the "perfect manatee lens", as I recall.

But of course for the d700 there are different options and the 16mm worked great for Jeff.

Best, Carol

Very nice indeed.

I'd say the flash to ambient balance is a little in favour of the former in the second one. But you have so many great manatee shots now Carol that we have to get picky! The third one is just lovely.

Alex

Fantastic pictures and a great subject.

Many thanks

Adam

Thanks, Steve, Jeff and everyone,

 

Yes Steve, I use the 10-17. I've used it exclusively on manatee since first using it in January '08 on my d200. The Tokina is now so much easier to use on the d300 because the camera focus is sooooo much improved, better ISO, etc. Alex Mustard also used the 10-17 exclusively on manatee when he came last January. He thinks it is the "perfect manatee lens", as I recall.

 

But of course for the d700 there are different options and the 16mm worked great for Jeff.

 

Best, Carol

Steve I did think of adding one important point here & one thing that makes the Tokina 10-17 so good for manatee. The 3rd shot up top that everyone likes, mom/baby, was taken with the Tokina at 15mm (on my d300), 23/24-ish equivalent I think. This is important for manatee because if I was at 10mm, I would have had to be too close to the mother/baby to frame them properly for that shot - as you must stay at a distance that won't stress the mom. That is why the Tokina is so great for manatee, you can shoot wide at 10mm when appropriate, and then zoom in to frame it better, or when 10mm means you would need to be too close for manatee comfort. Luckily though, manatees are pretty comfortable with photography generally as long as one moves very slowly and stays aware. But I would really miss the option to stay back and zoom in slightly with the Tokina to keep my distance - say if I shot all day with the 10.5.

Very nice indeed.

I'd say the flash to ambient balance is a little in favour of the former in the second one. But you have so many great manatee shots now Carol that we have to get picky! The third one is just lovely.

Alex

You are correct Alex and I know this.... I'm getting super-picky and trying to do things correctly, but I still like the way the flash lit up the artful tree-scratch marks (they are so cool!!). It is interesting to see which shots everyone likes. Thanks for the comments on #3. I'm still striving to get better and learning more every time I go out!

Best, Carol

Well done Carol. I am sure hoping I can make it work out in February. Looking like maybe the 25th. Long shot but hopeful.

Cheers

Todd

These are some of the nicest manatee captures I've seen Carol...nice work! Your mother and calf captures are truly endearing.

The crystal clear water, plus your camera know-how was certainly a winning combination for you to acheive these fantastic images. Robyn

Great shots all of them, but the third one is really awesome!

Cheers,

Scubamoose

wow, fantastic pics, we are going there in March, now you've got me really excited....awesome...can you tell me some settings? thanks, scott ps. also lens.

what a beautiful pictures!

One and three are my favorites, i´d like to dive in this cristal clear water