Yesterday, and again today was a bunch of misses photo wise. The subjects were there and the composition was handed to me on a platter. But I couldn’t get the shot. They look fine if the picture is small enough, but I want more than postage stamps for my pictures.

Exhibit A: A flying duck. Frankly, this is the shot I had no expectations of getting. But I was so close! If the duck silhouette was just a little sharper, it would have been a winner.


1/320s @ f/9.0, 55mm, ISO 200, using Nikkor 55-200 f/4-5.6

Exhibit B: a duck on water. Again, I like the picture, except it lacks sharpness. I love the reflection. I hate the softness at between drake and water.


1/40s @ f/5.6, 55mm, ISO 200, using Nikkor 55-200 f/5-5.6

Finally, Exhibit C: This screech owl sat and let me photograph her from inches away. Unfortunately, I was still in pre-coffee mode and didn’t consider aperture. Great shot, let down by a depth of field that’s too shallow. She’s a cutie, I must say. Unfortunately, she is another of the permanent residents of the raptor club, as her vision marred by an accident and she can’t survive on her own.


1/250s @ f/4.0, 90mm, ISO 200, using Tamron 90mm f/2.8