September started with a cool nip in the air this morning, and a cooler nip is forecasted for tomorrow morning. Down to a nice 54°F/12°C. A change that I’ve been craving…badly. The other day I asked my wife “what temperature do we need to get rid of these mosquitoes?” She went to Dr. Google to find the usual answer is below 50°F/10°C (but much less active below 60°F/15°C).
They’ve been particularly bad here in Michigan this year. And since we border a large wooded wetland, it makes it a bit worse. Even my usual repellants of Picaridin or lemongrass-based have been only mildly effective. In fact, I am beginning to think those scents are starting to signal a food truck pulling up. Because even if some of these “DEET-free alternatives” keep them from landing, these suckers will test your patience and every orifice. Even our dogs have sacrificed with reduced outdoor playtime.
I tend to prefer cooler temps to be out hiking and photographing, so I am looking forward to some long-overdue exploring.
About the photo:
I photographed this Eastern Meadowlark singing a long time ago. And what better symbolism to show a “nip in the air” than being able to see your own breath – which you can see as this Meadowlark sings! The timestamp also shows a time of a bit more willingness and dedication with more favorable conditions. The exposure was made just after 7 am at a location that is over an hour’s drive away in early Spring. A time of year when mosquito bites are just a distant memory.
As cool as this sequence is, they were never quite sharp enough on the bird. I seem to have many images like this – unique moments, but with enough of a technical flaw to prevent any usage beyond nostalgia. I was really pushing the limits of my equipment then – using a Nikon D2X, a Nikkor 500mm f/4 lens, a 1.7X teleconverter, with Lightroom metadata showing a 35mm equivalent of 1275mm with the crop factors. The exposure time was only 1/60s with ISO400. In hindsight, I should have increased the ISO more considering the focal length and time of day.
It appears Topaz Sharpen AI comes to the rescue again with some image-saving improvements. With the intensity of the bloodsucking hordes here, and the modern technology that is giving some new life to older images, spending time in my archives can be just as rewarding as being out in the field.
Whatever the technical flaws, it’s a special image and it really gets the message across. It’s not all sharpness, after all (but I don’t fault you at all for improving that). Once again I agree with Alex, that seeing the bird in context makes it more meaningful.
Love the image even without the software improvements. I’m so into these birds and their songs that almost any image will tweak my interest. I also see the change in my desire to get out when the temperatures and conditions are more favorable. I still will rise early and drive that hour if necessary. Aware of the need to camp more so I can be closer. Your comment on orifices reminds me of a time in Arizona where mmy body was viciously attacked by the smalles flies I’ve ever encountered. They found almost every one.
Thanks Monte. You know, sometimes I’d rather just get bit than having them buzz my face trying to fly in my nose and mouth.
Great shot. And Sharoen AI did a great job , leaving a nice little bit of motion blur in the beams. The condensing bird breath is great. Nice to revisit old shots. Especially when it works.
Thanks Howard! I occasionally come across an image that the AI is not so “intelligent” on – but mostly it helps.
The advances in software are a good reminder to hold on to those images with slight technical flaws. That’s a great result on a wonderful image, I love such more environmental animal portraits. (also… another 4:5 crop!? hehe)
Haha, yeah 4:5 fever here (where applicable). And honestly, the software advances also worry me. Once-upon-a-time we didn’t have to worry much about print theft from web images. Now I’m not so sure. I expect there is some market somewhere selling prints for a buck a piece.