Patriot Ledger Article

The Patriot Ledger published a nice article about me and the Photographing the Beauty of the South Shore workshops that I led last year.   The culmination of this project is an exhibit of the participants' images at the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in Marshfield.   The opening of the exhibit will be on Saturday, March 2, from 1-3PM.   I hope to see you there! 

The image for this post was made by Cynthia Brown of Brockton.   She was one of the workshop participants.   She entitled this image "Eager Photographers".   It was made at sunrise on Nantasket Beach in April.   I am the guy in the middle waving my arm around in an exuberant moment of teaching.

Here is the link to the Patriot Ledger article.
http://www.patriotledger.com/topstories/x1893338863/Audubon-photos-in-coming-Marshfield-exhibit-capture-South-Shore-beauty

Road Trip to Rhode Island

In an effort to scout a future workshop location and to expand my New England portfolio, I recently traveled to western Rhode Island. The two stops on my itinerary included the Swamp Meadow covered bridge and the famous Stepstone Falls.

Much of the snow from the blizzard was still on the ground, which helped the Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge look more like Vermont than Rhode Island. The scene could not have been more quintessentially New England. It was very peaceful listening to the brook babble as I waited for the sun to break free from the early morning clouds.

Beautiful Stepstone Falls will be the location of a future workshop. It was great to get the chance to scout the location and play with the waterfalls. My favorite images of the day involved using my long lenses to isolate small sections of the falls, including stunning ice sculptures. As I was photographing, a lone chickadee started to call to his friends. I was soon surrounded by a choir of chickadees, nuthatches and one female golden crown kinglet. The kinglet was amazingly small. It may have been only half the size of the chickadees. It was a thrill to make images while surrounded by nature's music!

Along the way, I saw a handsome white horse that I couldn't resist photographing. At first the horse was indifferent towards me, turning its back as I tried to photograph it. After a while, the horse became curious and I had made a new friend.

My short trip to Rhode Island was very productive and I am sure that I will be back soon!

Four More Colorful Eagle Images and a Hungry Merganser

I woke up early this morning with the hopes of making images of eagles against a colorful sky at sunrise. These four are the best I could do today.

I threw in an image of a hungry merganser. I often dull the boredom of waiting for the eagles to fly overhead by photographing ducks that fish nearby. Sometimes an hour or more will pass between eagle sightings. The mergansers, goldeneyes, and scaups provide a welcome diversion. I recently was describing wildlife photography to a friend who is also a musician and a photographer. I told him that I had the patience necessary to be a wildlife photographer, because I am also a bass trombonist. Translation: Hours and hours of sitting still and being bored out of your skull for a few unbelievably amazing moments is the name of the game:) Anyone who is a bass trombonist or a wildlife photographer will understand!

Photographing the Beauty of the South Shore Exhibit

In 2012, it was my pleasure to lead fourteen photography workshops in conjunction with the Massachusetts Audubon Society's North River Sanctuary.   The workshops were located at some of the most beautiful places on the South Shore of Massachusetts.   As a culmination of this project the North River Sanctuary will host an exhibit of thirty beautiful images.   The images were made by the workshop participants at all fourteen workshop locations.   Please join me on Saturday March 2nd from 1-3PM at the North River Sanctuary for the opening of the exhibit "Photographing the Beauty of the South Shore."

On the Trail of the Fisher

I received another tip about a bald eagle on a local pond. It happened to be the same pond that I saw the fisher at earlier this year. With the big snowstorm, the trails through the park were completely unrecognizable. I bushwhacked my way to the blind that I had used on the last trip. The going was rough. Downed trees and streams to jump across got my cardiac rate going. Along the way I noticed the fisher's tracks. In fact it helped me to find the easiest crossing at one of the streams. There were numerous tracks around the blind.

As I settled in for some eagle photography, I couldn't help but wonder what the likelihood was that I would see the fisher again. It had certainly been traveling through the area. I assumed that the fisher would likely approach the area, but spot me and leave before I saw it. Wild animals don't forget surprise encounters like the one we shared a few weeks ago. I expected the fisher to be much more wary.

Sunrise came and went. No eagle. The eagle had arrived at 7:00AM every day for the last week. Today, it didn't come to play. I decided to wait it out. 7:42 what do I see, but my friend the fisher running across the far side of the pond. I crouched further back into the blind and aimed my lens towards the spot that he would come to if he followed his trail. Sure enough, the fisher arrived 30 yards away from me about 2 minutes later. I was very still and quietly photographing this beautiful creature. The fisher cautiously stepped on the ice and started to approach me. Unfortunately the wind suddenly changed direction and blew my scent across the pond towards the fisher. Soon, he had his nose in the air and he was searching for me. It didn't take him long to find me. Just like last time, he scampered up the same tree and was over the hill as fast as could be.

The eagle never showed up, but I will take a fisher sighting any time! What a fantastic experience it was to observe this creature. Getting up well before sunrise was worth it once again!

Below, I have reposted my blog entry about my previous experience with the fisher. I have edited it to submit as next month's Adventures in Photography article. It will be published in the Freebird Times.

Adventures in Photography: Surprise a Fisher!!
On a quiet Sunday morning in late January, I went birding and found a fisher! Or more appropriately, a fisher found me. I was lying low, observing the bird life at a local pond. After lying still for more than an hour, I saw a large, dark ball of fur running across the ice. It was headed straight for me!
As it got close, the fisher noticed me at the edge of the pond. It frantically slid to a stop, tossing fresh fallen snow high into the air. Then it turned around and ran back in the direction it had come from.

When the fisher reached the opposite side of the pond, it stopped to look at me again. The fisher seemed to be saying, "What are you doing here?" Then it ran up a hill and eventually out of sight.

Fishers are members of the weasel family. They are rather large and notoriously vicious. Fishers can weigh up to 16 pounds and be nearly four feet in length. They primarily eat squirrels.

In the late 1800's fishers were extinct in Massachusetts. Since that time, due to more stringent trapping laws, the fisher population has returned and has been steadily increasing. While their numbers have increased dramatically in the past twenty years, sightings of fishers are still rare. They are very elusive and secretive animals.

According to the Patriot ledger, the Massachusetts State House will consider repealing and or revising the 1996 trapping law that has allowed the fisher population to flourish. Unfortunately, as the fisher population has risen, so has the population of pests, such as musk rats, beavers and coyotes. The beaver and musk rats have been flooding properties and coyotes seem to be unwelcome wherever they are present. Coyotes often set up territories in rural neighborhoods and occasionally visit cities such as Boston!

This is only the second fisher that I have seen. The other fisher frequented my back yard a few years ago. It was very dark in color. Usually, it would skirt across my backyard, following the edge of the pond. In less than ten seconds it would be out of sight.

I am not sure who was more surprised by this encounter, me or the fisher. This encounter might have lasted as long as thirty seconds. It was quite thrilling and it turned out to be a far better adventure than I had expected when I set out on that quiet Sunday morning.

Tip of the Month: I often extol the virtue of being prepared. In this case, photographing the fisher was possible, because I was already set up for wildlife photography. This was one of those moments where a great opportunity fell into my lap. Some would say it was luck. I would argue that it was preparation and diligence that helped me create this image. Had I not been sitting still in subfreezing weather for nearly two hours, I would not have been in place to make the image. If I didn’t have my camera out and ready, I would have seen the fisher, but I would not have photographed it! Be prepared!  

More Eagles and Feathered Friends

I spent another fantastic morning photographing bald eagles and other birds. The day started with a beautiful sunrise. Sightings included common goldeneyes, common mergansers, cormorants, mallards, great black backed gulls and a harbor seal. Its truly an amazing experience to be surrounded by so much wildlife! Spending a couple of hours surrounded by nature is a great way to recharge your batteries!

Mergansers, Goldeneyes and Eagles....Oh My!!

This morning was downright chilly.   Fourteen degrees and a negative wind chill.   After a couple of hours my hands felt like ice blocks, despite the three layers of gloves and hand warmers.   It was definitely worth the effort!

After three hours, I had seen a number of fantastic birds, a beautiful sunrise and I made many satisfying images.   Rather than write a lot about the experience, I have decided to post nine of my favorite images.   Happy viewing!


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Gotta Laugh at Yourself! aka Swamp Swimming in the Northeast Kingdom

Last October, I was on a photography trip with my friends from the South Shore Camera Club. My friend Carol was leading us to her favorite places in the Northeast Kingdom. We were on our way to dinner while stopping at a few great locations along the way. All was going quite well until I saw an image that proved challenging to make.

There was an old grey stump with many roots radiating from it. Sprinkled about the stump were some beautiful red maple leaves. The red leaves were all the more striking due to the contrast with the grey stump that they had fallen on. The only problem was that this stump was on a small island in the middle of a swamp. There were some thin logs leading to the stump that conveniently crossed the swamp.

Being cautious, I tested the edge of the swamp and my foot sunk in about 2 inches, but it was pretty firm after that. I figured that if I fell off the logs or they broke, it wouldn’t be too bad. Maybe a couple of inches right????

So, I readied my camera and hefted my pack onto my shoulder. I carefully balanced my way along the logs, carrying my tripod in my left hand to counterbalance the weight of my pack on my right shoulder. As I made it to the middle of the swamp, the log under my left foot snapped…!!!!

Instantly, my left leg was buried up to my hip in the swamp. My right leg was still precariously perched on its log. I had my camera and tripod lifted high in the air. My left foot had not touched bottom. It was still sinking, sinking…

Just before I fell in, my nearest companions had just decided to head back to the cars. I was completely out of sight of everyone and sinking.

I called for help. No one answered. I called again. No answer…

I called as loud as I could. One of my friends heard me. She asked if I needed help. My foot finally touched bottom. I responded by saying, “ It’s not an emergency, but could you ask Al to come down here?”  My friend Al was the biggest guy on the trip. I was hoping that he would be strong enough to help pull me out.

I tossed my tripod to the nearest bank. As I patiently waited, I heard my friends arguing over who would come to join me. “Why does he want Al??? Is he going to give him some secret photo tips?? Why Al and not us?” This went on for another minute before Al finally came to help me. Just before he arrived, I heard another friend, Wayne, say “I’m going too!”

The two men came around the corner and just stared at me. It was one of those jaw dropping stares. As the stares lasted, drool started to form at the corners of their mouths. Eventually Wayne snapped out of it and said “Uh…Greg…What are you doing?”

I calmly explained my situation and informed my friends of my plan to save my camera. It was a desperate plan. I told Al that intended to throw my D7000 to him and I wanted him to catch it. Al’s eyes bugged out of his head. “Are you sure?” he asked incredulously!

“Unless you have a better idea, I intend to toss it to you.” It was only a fifteen foot throw. But then again, I played soccer, because I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a baseball, basketball, football, or any thrown object. Of course I had never tried to throw a camera!

At this point, I realized that I could only use the strength of my left arm, because my right arm was entangled in my back pack. Being a righty, this was even less reassuring…

I slowly started moving my hand and camera back in forth in a throwing motion to generate enough power for the throw. Of course I didn’t want to overthrow my target either.

“On three,” I shouted to Al. “One, Two, Three!!” As I tossed the camera, I worried that I would overthrow Al, so I lightened up on the throw. The camera sailed through the air. As if in slow motion, I saw every tumble, twist and turn, as my baby hurtled through the air. I watched as Al’s eyes opened wide. He bent down and leaned forward, but not far or fast enough as the camera landed two feet short of him.

Fortunately, the camera landed in a soft tuft of swamp grass. It could have been far worse. Al grabbed my camera and stepped out of the way as I asked Wayne to catch my backpack. With a mighty two handed heave I threw my twenty pound gear bag as hard as I could. It sailed straight towards Wayne. Like a pro, Wayne sure handedly grabbed the rest of my precious camera gear. Phew!!

With my hands free, I was able to pull myself out of the swamp. It took some effort, but my leg finally came free. Fortunately, my boot stayed on my foot! I was able to scamper back across the logs and breathed a sigh of relief.

I took a brief look at my camera. It looked OK, but I didn’t want to touch it, because my hands were covered in mud.

At that point, I just wanted to change my clothes. My left leg was completely covered in mud. There was no way I would be able to ride in anybody’s car back to the house to get changed. I would have to strip my pants off and ride in my underwear. This was going to be awkward. I felt terrible, because I was going to spoil dinner. We had a reservation and this stunt of mine was going to mess those plans up.

As I walked back to the car, I decided to become the butt of everyone’s jokes. What else could I do?

Carol, the leader of this expedition and my ride, was a quarter mile up the road photographing reflections of foliage on a lake. I felt bad interrupting her photo session. Carol loves photography. She loves the Northeast Kingdom and she loves foliage most of all. I felt like a heel for ruining her trip.

I decided to try to be funny.   As I got within shouting distance, I called out “Carol…..I love you!!” I assumed that she could see my muddy pants at this point. She on the other hand thought I was thanking her for bringing us to such a great location (which it was). She was a little confused by my public declaration. She called back with a strange look on her face “Uhh … OK!”

I called again “Carol, I reaallly love yooouu!!” Then, even more confused, she called “I love you too???”

At that point I was sure that she had seen my mud covered pants. She hadn’t. She walked over and met me at her car. She was now able to clearly see me. I think she went into shock.

I tried to apologize and come up with a plan for her to still be able to lead the trip while I returned to the house. Al offered to drive me back to the house. Carol was just worried about getting me to dinner. I pointed out that there was no restaurant anywhere that would seat me. At this point, I think full comprehension finally dawned on Carol. The shock was starting to wear off.

Carol insisted that she would drive me back and asked the rest of the group to find their way to the restaurant as best as they could.

Of course at this point, there were a handful of photographers eager to take my picture. I asked them to give me a moment’s privacy as I went behind Carol’s car and stripped out of my pants. I wrapped my jacket around my waist and proclaimed it a kilt!

By then, the entire group was aware of my predicament. Many were offering paper towels to clean the mud off my pants and boots. Al came up with two plastic bags to stuff my clothes in. The rest of the group got their cameras and insults ready.

Soon I was posing for twenty photographers in my make shift kilt. I made the best of it and rolled with the punches. After a few minutes of feeling like a star with a wardrobe malfunction surrounded by paparazzi, I was on my way with Carol and our friend Betty to get changed. My make shift kilt served its purpose. In no time, I was changed and on my way to dinner. Of course Carol had to point out every mud hole in the Northeast Kingdom to ask if I wanted to go for a swim. More of these comments surfaced over dinner. Fortunately they were all good natured jibes. The entire group was very gracious despite the fact that I put a huge crimp in everyone’s plans. I couldn’t have asked for a group of more understanding people.

I’d like to thank Carol for a wonderful trip and for being a gracious host and good friend. I’d also like to thank her for allowing me to post her photo on my blog. You can read her version of this tale by visiting her blog at http://carolsviewofnewengland.blogspot.com/2013/02/photography-is-dangerous-sport.html

I’d like to thank my friend Al who came on my trip to Acadia a week later. I asked him to live by the motto of “What happens in the Northeast Kingdom stays in the Northeast Kingdom.” He was very good at keeping quiet. Thank you to my sure handed friend Wayne for saving the rest of my equipment!

I am a huge proponent of taking calculated risks. Had those logs been over open water or from one cliff to another with a sheer drop in between, I never would have tried it. I reasoned that the worst that could happen was that my boots would get a little muddy. I had no idea that the swamp would be over three feet deep. Watch out for those bogs in the NEK!!

In the end, I would like to tell you that I would be more careful next time, but I am not so sure that I wouldn’t still try to push my limits…within reason

While I never made any images of the red maple leaves on the grey stump, you can see some of my favorite images from this trip here: http://blog.greglessardphotography.com/2012/10/fall-foliage-in-northeast-kingdom.html  and here:  http://blog.greglessardphotography.com/2012/10/the-northeast-kingdom-in-review.html

Surprise!!! A Fisher Cat!

This morning I went birding and found a fisher!   I was lying low, observing the bird life at a local pond. After lying still for more than an hour, I saw the fisher running across the ice. It was headed straight for me! As it got close, the fisher noticed me at the edge of the pond. It frantically slid to a stop, tossing fresh fallen snow high into the air. Then it turned around and ran back in the direction it had come from. When it reached the opposite side of the pond, it stopped to look at me again. It seemed to be saying, "What are you doing here?" Then it ran up a hill and eventually out of sight.

 

Fishers are members of the weasel family. They are rather large and notoriously vicious. Fishers can weigh up to 16 pounds and be nearly four feet in length. They primarily eat squirrels. In the 1800's fishers were extinct in Massachusetts. Since that time, due to more strict trapping laws, the fisher population has been steadily increasing. While their numbers have increased dramatically in the past twenty years, sightings of fishers are still rare. They are very elusive and secretive animals.

 

This is only the second fisher that I have seen. The other frequented my back yard a few years ago. It was much darker in color than the fisher I photographed this morning. It would skirt across my backyard, following the edge of the pond. In less than ten seconds it would be out of sight. I am not sure who was more surprised by this encounter, me or the fisher. This encounter might have lasted as long as thirty seconds. It was quite thrilling!