Saturday Snapshot January 19

Winter in snow country. Here are some photos I took while trying out my new camera, a Nikon D5100. No editing has been done here, not even cropping.

I admit these are the more successful ones. There are lots that I’m not satisfied, with capturing light and focusing. Still figuring out how to use it, especially for birds. If you’re familiar with this camera, do let me know what’s the best settings for flying objects, identified or not.

Fences

Sunset at 4

Black-capped Chickadee

Squirrel

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. CLICK HERE to see what others have posted.

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Published by

Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

47 thoughts on “Saturday Snapshot January 19”

  1. I’m not certain whether I should be proud or dismayed to be able to say that for once we appear to have more snow in the UK than you do in Canada. I love the photo of the bird. What is it?

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    1. Snow sure can draw us closer despite how far we’re apart geographically. I can feel for you, as I learned from the news that airports were shut down due to the heavy snow. That’s a Black-capped Chickadee. We have lots of them in my neck of the woods.

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  5. Photography is always a continuing learning experience for me. I review the disc that accompanies the Nikon camera to learn about the different modes settings, f-stops, depth of fields.

    You seem to have a good start with your photos.

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      1. Vicki,

        I seldom notice that construction. Guess we see them quite a lot here. Now you have me interested about fences. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment (s). 😉

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    1. Ginny,

      Welcome and thanks for your comment! As a matter of fact, I’m usually careful to frame my subject instead of waiting for the cropping at the editing stage. But you’re right… we have tools to fix any imperfections. 😉

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  8. I’m taken with the warm light you’ve captured, even in wintry scenes. It’s in the high 70sF today with warm Santa Ana winds blowing gently, feeling not at all wintry 😉

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  10. I’m still learning my camera too. I use the sports setting a lot for when I’m trying to capture birds, and I like using the auto-focus. My husband is more partial to using manual settings, but I don’t feel like I have enough knowledge to do that on the fly. Lovely photos!

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  11. Such beautiful Winter shots, Arti! I miss the snow in Illinois; it’s around 47 degrees here lately which is not what I call Winter! Anyway, it’s good to enjoy it vicariously, with the squirrel, through your eyes.

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  12. You’re getting some nice shots with the new camera. I’m finding that winter looks better when there is a little snow on the ground. We have none here in Chicago and the photos I’ve taken this month are rather drab and colorless. Not that I’m complaining. 🙂

    As for settings, regardless of the make/model, the faster the shutter speed the better for birds. That will mean going at least partially manual. The sport setting is also an option if you don’t want to mess with manual yet.

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    1. Leslie,

      Yes… I’m trying to play with the diff. combinations of shuttle speed, aperture and ISO, as well as the camera’s own built in Auto settings. I use the sports mode for flying objects. It will take me a while to find the best combinations, maybe semi-auto.

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  13. The light in the second shot is beautifully captures. Love the pics of the little creatures in the snow too. Such a lovely change from our recent record breaking 45C degree day in Sydney!!

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    1. Brona,

      I can’t imagine going out at 45C! We sure live in very different worlds! Of course, you’re having summer now. I wonder where do the birds go in so hot weather?

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    1. Louise,

      Which part of Canada did you use to stay? Here in Southern Alberta, squirrels are very common, even in the cold. They love the pine cones and eat very fast. The Black-capped Chickadees I see a lot too in my neck of the woods.

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  17. These are wonderful, Arti. I suspect my aversion to snow might not equal yours to cats, but it’s on the road! But oh, how I love to look at really beautiful snowy photos — just so long as I don’t have to be in them! These are lovely. The lighting on that photo is especially lovely! And nice work with bird and beast, as Lizzie might call the squirrel, her arch-nemesis! Beth at moredoors.blogspot.com is periodically doing a bit on asking people to share their camera questions with her. I’m not sure what she uses, but if it’s the same may have ideas. Happy weekend!

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    1. Jeanie,

      I just come back from a little walk out in the woods to look for birds. Guess it was a bit too cold for them, at -14C. I don’t mind winter as long as it’ sunny. And yes, glad you understand why I’ve not been around your blog these few days. But, hey, it’s Downton Abbey tonight, so I just might post something tomorrow. Let’s all gather around the pond here for some ripples. 😉

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  19. There are a couple of professional photographers whose blogs might be helpful to you. Steve, at Portraits of Wildflowers, has some tips on equipment and techniques in his sidebar. Beyond that, he often shares information on settings, shooting position and so on in his daily posts. I’ve learned so much.

    Another is Phil Lanoue, who was a sports photographer and now presents primarily birds. He also offers the occasional tip, and if you want inspiration to keep getting better, this is the place to do it!

    Both of these guys post daily, and I make it a habit to stop by every day, to admire and learn.

    My favorite of this set is the fence, just because it’s so well composed and so unusual. I’ve never seen a fence like that, either. It’s very, very attractive. And yes, of course – I have snow envy!

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    1. Thanks for the info of these two sites, Linda. I’ll definitely check them out. As for the fence, I’m so surprised that it’s a novelty. 😉 Now you’ve motivated me to take more pictures of them, in various locations. hmm… they could be an interesting photography subject.

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    1. Diane,

      Oh yes, the D5100 is just the newer version, which is now outdated by the D5200 that just comes out in Jan. Now we can exchange notes on one more thing we share. 😉

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  22. A charming little squirrlie! We saw one next to my parents’ house the other day, and mother was so furious she tried to chase it away – but the little beastie continued to approach her. When it became extremely clear that she had no hand outs, it continued digging at the base of its home tree for whatever forgotten treats lay buried there.

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