Water Like Glass

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 400, f/11 @ 1/250s Manual exposure

Last Sunday, my brother, and I spent the evening out at the Bashakill Wildlife Management Area.  It was still raining when we arrived, but it was starting to clear off.  Within about a half an hour, it finally stopped raining.  The Bashakill had some fog that was lifting and the sky was dramatic with storm clouds.  The wind was so still that the water was like glass.  It was truly stunning.  I did not have my tripod with me, but I did manage a few handheld photographs of the landscape.  We spent some time on several trails, but none produced any opportunities.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 400, f/6.3 @ 1/500s Manual exposure

Most of our opportunities came on Haven Road and from the parking area north of haven road off Route 209.  From the parking area north of Haven, I was able to photograph some Canadian Geese in flight and a pair that was content with standing out in front of us.  The water was so still that it basically mirrored them.  So, I was quite happy with the photograph that I was able to get.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 640, f/6.3 @ 1/500s Manual exposure

The landscape shots that came out the best, was a shot looking towards Haven Road.  The dramatic sky coupled with the late evening hours made the picture pop.  I was happy with the way the picture turned out.  The only thing that could have improved the shot, would have been using a tripod.  I would have been able to use a 100 ISO if I had brought my tripod with me, and that would have cut down on the noise.  I guess I learned my lesson from not wanting to bring my tripod.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 1250, f/6.3 @ 1/400s Manual exposure

I also managed a photograph of some fungus growing on a log.  At the time, I was not thinking that the picture would turn into anything usable.  Once I got it back and onto my computer, I was surprised with the intricate patterns.  I wish that I had taken the picture using a macro lens to really pull out the detail.  But I only took the image with my Sigma 150-600 mm lens.  I do know where the log is, and I plan on making a trip back to see if I can get better images of it.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 640, f/6.3 @ 1/400s Manual exposure

With sunset approaching we had to start heading for home, but before we left the Bashakill we decided to go back and check Haven Road one last time.  This worked out well, because one of the Mute Swans was right along the road.  I was a little worried that I would scare it off, but it did not seem to mind that we were there.  I did not get out of the car, so I assume that helped.

Canon EOS 6D Mark II & Sigma 150-600mm f/5.0 - f/6.3 DG Contemporary Lens, ISO 250, f/6.3 @ 1/400s Manual exposure

Due to its proximity to the road I was able to take a lot of pictures.  I must have snapped off over a hundred photographs in a matter of minutes.  It was not doing too much, except for swimming back and forth.  It also chased off the Canadian Geese that were around, but they just swam off, and they did not really fight or anything.  Overall the trip was great, and I really look forward to the next one.  Until next time.