Diamondback Water Snakes - Mile High Wildlife Photography Club

Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
July 2011
Volume 35, Number 6
Diamondback Water Snakes
by Bob Stocker
Recently, I nearly missed some interesting wildlife behavior that was happening right in front of me.
On an overcast morning in late March 2011, I took a number of unremarkable photographs of distant
subjects like Little Blue Herons, Neotropic Cormorants, Great Egrets, Least Grebes and Snowy
Egrets from the edge of a pond in Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge near Alamo, Texas. Only after
having been at the spot for nearly half an hour did I notice a Diamondback Water Snake stretched
out on a log right in front of me.
Diamondback Water Snake
Almost immediately, I noticed a second snake stretched out on an even closer log. A third snake
then emerged from the water near the second snake’s head…
Male Diamondback Water Snake Beginning
to Crawl Down a Female's Back
and began to crawl down the second snake’s back…
Male Diamondback Water Snake Crawling
Down a Female's Back
1
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
until it came to the end of the log…
Male Diamondback Water Snake
Stretched Out Along a Female's Back
Diamondback Water Snakes are nonvenomous snakes that give live birth from fertilized eggs
retained in females’ bodies. Females are noticeably larger than males. Based on size, the first two
snakes were females, and the third was a male.
After a few minutes of indecision, the male snake slipped off into the water, turned around and
crawled up the back of the female in the opposite direction.
Male Diamondback Water Snake on the
Back of a Female
Once the male snake was stretched across the back of the female, neither snake moved appreciably
for twenty minutes or more.
By this time, a crowd had gathered. Some people seemed more interested in chatting with each
other than observing nature. Feeling frustrated with the crowd and thinking that the best of the show
was over, I left.
I returned to the site after half an hour. The crowd had moved on, but the snakes were still there.
Male Diamondback Water Snake Coiled on Top of a
Female
A larger version of this photo is currently displayed in the snakes gallery on StockerPhotos.com.
2
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
Flying Elk !
by Richard Seeley
We were driving south on Colorado highway 125 south of Walden when I saw a very large herd (400
-600) of Elk on the range on the left side of the road. I stopped the car to take a picture. When I
rolled down the window, the herd stampeded.
“Stampede”
Part of the herd ran deeper into the range. Another part ran hard parallel to the road in the same
direction that we were driving. I was able to match their speed, photoshooting out the window, while
my wife in the passenger seat operated the steering wheel.
“Hard Run”
“Into The Wind”
3
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
I could see the wave of elk rising over a range fence ahead. I stopped the car just past the fence and
watched and photographed in amazement as they vaulted the fence with ease.
“Over Easy”
“Flying Elk”
Then they turned for the road and we watched in awe as hundreds of elk crossed in front of our Jeep
only 50 feet away. We were speechless. Discover more of Richard’s photography and stories at
www.richardseeleyphotography.com and blog.richardseeleyphotography.com
Hospitality for the July Meeting
Nona Radin - Cookies/Snacks
Stephanie Lindemann - Beverages
Volunteers are needed for later this year!
4
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
The Wildlife Experience: Request for Images !
Editors Note: Mile High Wildlife Photography Club recently received the below letter from our host
facility, The Wildlife Experience. Our relationship with this organization has truly been a symbiotic
one—where both organizations have enhanced and benefited the other. Please consider donating
your time and photography talents, and maybe get a helpful photographers credit in the process! As
noted below, TWE will be open to club members for photography of the grounds and facilities on
Wednesday, July 13th, from 5:00—7:00PM, right before the club meeting. Photos, in
JPEG format please, can be submitted to Chuck Winter or any club officer. See or email Chuck with
any questions. This July time slot is the final opportunity to take advantage of this offer / request!
Thank you!
5
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
Competition Rules Update / Reminder
Each month, the newsletter will have a reminder or synopsis of one or more rules category. This
month, a reminder of the WILDLIFE: CAPTIVE OR CONTROLLED category rules is below.
NOTE: If there's any doubt as to the eligibility of one of your images, please submit it to someone
on the competition committee for approval.

• Wildlife under controlled conditions, including, but not limited to, zoos, game farms, captives,
rehab centers, and domesticated wild animals in a natural setting.

• The animal(s) must be the primary focal point, and evidence of the hand of man or the
controlled environment, if any, must be secondary.

• The intent of the original image must be maintained.

• Images may be color, black-and-white, or toned (i.e., sepia).

• The competition committee and/or judge will be the final determiners of whether an image is
appropriate to the category.
Judging Help Needed !
August is fast approaching, with our annual picnic scheduled instead of a presentation. We will still
be having a photo competition and we will have no presenter to judge for us. So, we need the
general membership to help. If you have judged before and would like to judge again, please
contact Fred Stearns. If you have a new idea that you think would work, like two people teaming up
or something that you have seen at another club, let Fred know. We will still go through all the
submissions and there is a great desire for constructive criticism, so we won’t forgo that. If you have
never judged at a MHWPC competition, but would like to have a try, please contact Fred. If you
know a judge that you would like to have judge our work, he is interested in hearing that too. Fred
can be reached at [email protected] or at 303-400-0385. Let’s give Fred some choices for August
and maybe even future months! Thanks and Happy Shooting!
Hello from the Library!
It seems like so long since I have seen you all. Joe and I hope that you are getting many great photo
opportunities and lots of special images to share with us. The Wildlife Experience has expanded it’s
services to our community. Check out their website, new flyers, and
publications.
One that I just received sounds great for local
photographers. It concerns operating hours and days (now open seven
days a week). Also, they have begun a series of free nature nights
which will introduce new places to explore in Colorado. The next ones
are Top Camping, Hiking , and Fishing areas close to home on July
12th, and on Aug. 9th – Discover Colorado – National Treasures. Call
the TWE at 720-488-3344 to reserve seats.
We will have the library open at the next meeting so stop by and say
hi. Come and CHECK US OUT.
Joe and Betsy Lamb
Librarians
6
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Club Competition Results
Category: Wildlife
Judge: Russ Burden
First Place
Swift Fox Mother Feeding Kits by Chuck Summers
Second Place
Third Place
American Avocet In Flight by Cathy Sheeter
BLM Mustang Stallion by Cathy Sheeter
7
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Club Competition Results
Category: Wildlife (continued)
Judge: Russ Burden
Honorable Mention
Spread Wide Wings by Richard Goluch
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Everyone Is Watching The Sunrise by Roger Clark
Reflection by Richard Goluch
8
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
Category: Scenic
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Club Competition Results
Judge: Russ Burden
First Place
Dancing Light by Dixie Lawrence
Honorable Mention
Second Place
Frosty Moab by Dixie Lawrence
Opening Bud by Nancy Nelson
Third Place
Honorable Mention
Serengeti Sunrise by Roger Clark
Eyeing Turret Arch by Tim Visser
9
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Club & Masters Competition Results
Category: Open
Judge: Russ Burden
First Place—Club
Second Place—Club
Blown Out by Roger Kinney
Eagle Highlighted In Candle Flame
by Lois Lake
First Place—Masters
Wild Horses Stylized by Charlie Summers
10
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Masters Competition Results
Category: Wildlife
Judge: Russ Burden
First Place
Lioness and Cubs by Fi Rust
Second Place
Third Place
Mountain Zebra Flight by Jan Forseth
Black-Shouldered Kite Pair
by James Hager
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Iguana by Chris Loffredo
Grizzly Bear by James Hager
11
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
June Masters Competition Results
Category: Scenic
Judge: Russ Burden
First Place
Southern Hemisphere Star Trails by Charlie Summers
Second Place
Third Place
Lower Calf Creek Falls by Jan Forseth
Mud Curls at Sinyala by Mary Paetow
12
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
Upcoming Programs !
July We have an action-packed meeting planned for July 13th!
5:00PM to 7:00PM - Our members are invited to shoot inside and outside The Wildlife Experience to
document the displays and the facilities. For further information, see page 5 of this newsletter.
7:00PM - Business meeting and special presentation to Denver Digital Imaging and owner Rick
Carpenter in appreciation for their support of our exhibits at TWE over the past 10 years.
7:30PM - A short, fast paced program showing the nuts and bolts of ―Photography Close to Home Colorado Wildflowers and Colorado Fall Color Seasons”. What, where, when, and how!
8:00PM - Break and some time to view our latest exhibit at TWE- “Close-ups A Part of the Whole”.
8:30PM - Based on requests from our members, once a quarter—including July— the competition will be
geared toward extended comments and critiques with time borrowed from the program.
It should be a great meeting!
August It’s time for the club’s annual picnic! Start time is a little earlier, at 6:00PM. The club provides
Fried Chicken, plates, cups, utensils and pop. Please bring a dish to share! A regular club competition
will follow the picnic.
September Chuck Summers will be presenting a program ―Colorado Wildlife - Images Close to
Home” - and he wants your help! He is looking for any of the following images to use in the September
program:
Pawnee Buttes - Golden Eagle, Burrowing Owl
RMNP - Snowshoe Hare, Beaver, Aberts Squirrel, Golden Mantel Ground Squirrel, Black Bear, Long Tail
Weasel, Skunk
Castlewood Canyon - any wildlife images
Wildlife images from anywhere in Colorado - Black bear, Mountain Lion (not controlled), Pronghorn
Antelope, Bison, Sharp Tail Grouse, Burrowing Owl, any others you would be willing to share. Any
contributions would be greatly appreciated. For more information members may contact Chuck at:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Russ Burden has an article in the July issue of Outdoor
Photographer that appears on page 31. The article is
called Reenergize and is part of the Quick Tips series. If
you're stuck in a photographic rut, give it a read to find
out how to get out of the low.
Richard Seeley received the Griffin Museum of Photography award for excellence in photography by the Rockport Art Association for his image ―Ice Fishing‖, showing
an adult bald eagle using its ice fishing technique to
swoop in with talons ready to hook a shad fish for lunch.
Ogallala, Nebraska
13
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
At Our June Meeting
by Lara Hardesty
For our June meeting, Russ Burden, Board Member, Master, and Competition Team Lead, treated
us to two digital slideshows.
The first slideshow, called "Nature's Gifts" spotlighted several of his favorite nature photographs.
With his many years of experience, he was able to show beautiful pictures from numerous locations.
The images demonstrated his ability to be at the right location at the right moment, his Photoshop
techniques, and his creativity. As always, Russ's photos demonstrated how to catch beautiful light.
Growing up in New York City, Russ had seen the Twin Towers under construction. After 9/11, he felt
compelled to make a digital slideshow using his photos to express what he feels about our country
and that day. Included were his outstanding portraits and scenics set to patriotic music. The club
members in the audience commended Russ on the emotions that this slideshow evoked and the skill
with which it was created.
Then we all were treated to examples of Russ's great teaching ability as he judged the competition.
Russ Burden's website is at russburdenphotography.com.
Remember the Change of Venue for the Digital Study Group !
Please note that a change in venue for the Digital Group has occurred, starting last month. We will
no longer be meeting at TWE on the 4th Wednesday. The change commenced with the June 22nd
meeting. The new location is: Animal Hospital Center, 5640 County Line Place (1 block south of
County Line Rd. at the
south end of Holly St.)
Please park in the lot on
the right side of the
building after you go
around the front of it
and
down
the
hill. Please DO NOT
enter
the
building
through the front door!
When you drive down
the hill, you'll see
entrance through a
double set of doors. The
meeting is in the
basement of the Animal
Hospital Center.
14
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
Speaker Workshops and Tours:
Member Workshops and Tours:
GLENN RANDALL:
Cathy & Gordon Illg’s Adventure
Photography Tours:
2011 Workshops in Rocky Mountain National Park
The Illg’s can be contacted at:
Adventure Photography 303 237-7086 or
[email protected]
www.advenphoto.com
August 19 (evening) to August 21, 2011
August 26 (evening) to August 28, 2011
All workshops will be based at the Rocky Mountain
Nature Association's Field Seminar and
Conference Center in Estes Park, on the east side
of Rocky Mountain National Park.
The $200
workshop fee does not include meals or
lodging.
These workshops are not
sequential; the contents of each weekend-long
workshop will be identical. For more information on
the seminars, please contact me at 303 499-3009 or
[email protected]. To register, please
visit the Rocky Mountain Nature Association website
or call 970 586-3262.
2011 Destinations include:

Rocky Mountain High, Colorado July 17-22

Colorado Color, Colorado September 25-30

Alaska Eagles, Juneau Alaska November 13-19
Local Photography Idea for July!
Consider a day or more in the Cache la Poudre
River Canyon, northwest of Fort Collins via
Highways 287 and 14. The river itself provides
many scenic views to photograph, from the
wide river at the canyon mouth, through the
canyon and narrows sections, up to the point
where the river turns south into Rocky Mountain
National Park. 22 miles from Fort Collins,
across from the first campground, the Young’s
Gulch trailhead provides an easy photogenic
hike with a wide variety of wildflowers. Bring
waterproof boots or shoes you don’t love too
much, though—the multiple stream crossings
will provide lots of opportunity to get close-up
water pictures, and maybe get a little wet!
Contact Chris Frazier for more information on
this month’s outing idea!
For more information on Audubon Magazine’s
Third Annual Photo Contest, please visit
audubonmagazinephotoawards.com . Entries
are accepted from May 30 to September 5,
2011. Categories include Professional,
Amateur, and Youth
15
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
July 2011 Volume. 35, No. 6
Member Workshops and Tours
(continued):
Mile High Wildlife Photography Club
President: Bob Cross
[email protected] 303-663-2019
Russ Burden’s Photography Tours:
Vice-President: Bob Stocker
Visit www.russburdenphotography.com. Or
Contact Russ at 303-791-9997,
[email protected]
[email protected] 303-759-4056
Secretary/Treasurer: Patrick Devereaux
[email protected] 303-717-2436
Newsletter Editors: Chris Frazier & Lara Hardesty
2011 Destinations include:
[email protected] 303-356-2399 or 303-386-4260
Webmaster: James Hager





Sept 24 - Oct 3, 2011 Grand Teton and
Yellowstone National Parks in the Fall a 10 day trip!
http://www.mhwpc.org [email protected]
TEAM LEADERS
Monthly Programs: Chuck Winter
Oct. 18 - 23, 2011 Hunts Mesa - A special
aerial perspective of Monument Valley
and Capital Reef National Park
[email protected] 303-972-2538
Membership: Rita Summers
[email protected] 303-840-3355
Special Programs/Field Trips: Chuck Winter
Nov. 5 - 11, 2011 Bryce Canyon and Zion
National Parks
[email protected] 303-972-2538
Competition: Russ Burden 303-791-9997
Dec 6 –12, 20011 Bosque Del Apache and
White Sands National Monument
Competition Scoring: Chris Loffredo 303-267-3846
Competition Entries/Judging Coordinator:
Fred Stearns 303 400-0385
A Vermont Fall Colors Tour is also available
by Request with Small Groups. Contact
Russ for details and additional information
Snacks/Greeters: Nancy Stocker 303-759-4056
Publicity: Buzz Soard 303-779-9933
Library: Joe & Betsy Lamb 303-841-2565
James Hager Photography Small Group Photo Safaris
Visit www.JamesHagerPhoto.com, or email
[email protected] for more information:
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Rita Summers • Russ Burden
Chuck Winter • Chris Loffredo • Ron Eberhart
July Meeting
Wednesday, June 13th
Kenya in Oct 2012: A 20-day classic African
photo safari, including visits to Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru National Park, and
Masai Mara
National Reserve. The safari
is intended for photographers, or serious naturalists, who want to spend time with the animals
of East Africa.
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at
THE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE
10035 South Peoria
Competition: Wildlife, Scenic, and Open
June Attendance: Approximately 51
July Digital Training Meeting
Wednesday, June 27nd
Gorillas in Oct 2012: 5 days of visiting mountain
gorillas in the best environment for photography— Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is
an amazing experience!
7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION ! - See Page 14
Please send your articles and input to
[email protected]
August submission deadline is Saturday 07/30/11
16