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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/16/2006 2:32:33 AM
PLEASE PLEASE !!! Somebody tell me how to edit a comment. I corrected a mispelled word and it double posted.
I asked the same question of the "contact us" folks a week or so ago but have had no response at all!
Nice!
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/16/2006 2:29:37 AM
Dave, I think you hit the nail on the head!
I've attached the original for you to see and YES it's a HUGE crop because the butterfly wouldn't let me get close. At 1/100 and f5.0 with a 105mm hand held I was lucky to see it at all but it was simply too beautiful of a butterfly to pass up.
Thanks very much!
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/16/2006 2:28:06 AM
Dave, I think you hit the nail on the head!
I've attached the original for you to see and YES it's a HUGE crop because the butterfly wouldn't let me get close. At 1/100 and f5.0 with a 105mm hand held I was lucky to see it at all but it was sumply too beautiful of a butterfly to pass up.
Thanks very much!
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/1/2006 4:36:47 PM
Ha Ha Ha! I didn't mean t imply that they'll track and hunt you down. In all my encounters with them I was either cornering or putting them in a defense mode due to stress or fear. Most were injured and couldn't fly but given the chance they could outrun any track star. I do remember once, when I was called out, I saw where the bird had put his head through a chain link fence and was totally irritated when he couldn't get the rest of him through the little 3" hole (the links in the chain). Well I had to clear out briars and underbrush to get to him and when I was finally able to reverse his body he became totally ticked off at me and I became his target. Thankfully my arms were longer than his neck. I can still remember the sound of his beak snapping as he tried to get my face (they'll actually go for your eyes). When I carried him to a safe place away from the fence he turned and looked at me appearing to size me up. Suddenly he charged. Just like a bull would have done. It was actually comical, (a 15 pound bird running at a 200 pound man) except that he was deadly serious about taking his anger out on me. Finally he gave up and walked down stream a bit before flying away. Believe me they are NOT a pleasant bird to be around. At that point dozens of people had been attracted to the scene and they all started clapping. What an experience that was.
PS if the above comment repeats it was because I had attempted to edit some typos. Please tell me how to edit a poorly written post of my own.
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| Photo By: Arthur Kornienko
(K:10844)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/1/2006 4:30:09 PM
Ha Ha Ha! I didn't mean t imply that they'll track and hunt you down. In all my encounters with them I was cornering or putting them in a defense mode due to stress or fear. Most were injured and couldn't fly but given the chance they could outrun any track star. I do remember onece when I was called out and saw where the bird had put his head through a chain link fence and was totally irritated when he couldn't get the rest of him through the little 3" hole (the links in the chain). Well I had to clear out briars and underbrush to get to him and when I was finally able to reverse his body he became totally ticked off at me and I became his target. Thankfully my arms were longer than his neck. I can still remember the sound of his beak snapping as hi tried to get my face (they'll actually go for your eyes). When I carried him to a place away from the fence he turned and looked at me appearing to size me up. Suddenly he charged. Just like a bull would have done. It was actually comical, (a 15 pound bird and a 200 pound man) except that he was deadly serious about taking his anger out on me. Finally he gave up and walked down stream a bit before flying away. Believe me they are NOT a pleasant bird to be around. At that point dozens of people had been attracted to the scene and they all started clapping. What an experience that was.
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| Photo By: Arthur Kornienko
(K:10844)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/30/2006 4:21:52 PM
Unfortunately the common redpoll is not that common in the Southern Maryland area. These are beautiful creatures and your photo is a wonderful example of how nature can make the color brown and red a pleasing combination.
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| Photo By: Arthur Kornienko
(K:10844)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/30/2006 4:17:24 PM
As one who has been attacked and bitten by these fellows (I used to do raptor rescue) I can really appreciate the effort you made to get that close. I've often described GBH's as Tyrannosaurus rex with feathers. Nice shot.
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| Photo By: Arthur Kornienko
(K:10844)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/30/2006 4:06:19 PM
That's a wonderful photo, Chelsea. Very few people ever see a hummers nest let alone have an opportunity to photograph a mother feeding her chick. By the way - why do hummers hum?
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Photo By: Chelsea Burke
(K:5679)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/30/2006 1:50:03 PM
Thanks for your reply Rebecca. You brought up an interesting idea for me. I've attached the original view for you to see. When I do wildlife shots I try to focus on the eye of whatever I'm shooting. In this case the heron's eye. I can see the iris (it was a long didtance even for a 400mm lens) but it's obviously NOT sharp. One thing I keep forgetting about the d70 is that if you change iso or others settings (I forget which ones while I'm writing this to you) the auto focus system reverts (by default) to "closest subject". I generally prefer to use "dymanic" or center spot since most of my photos include branches or other stuff infront of the birds I shoot. Well the grasses are definitely closer than the bird and that's what probably made it so soft. I need to tie a big string around me and the camera to remind me to check the focus setting. Please continue to critique.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/28/2006 3:17:56 PM
Hi Barbara. This is one of those situations where the written word unsuccessfully competes with the spoken word. If we were on the phone talking about the subject written above, there wouldn't be any thought given to hurting any animals.
I must say that I'm amazed at the thought of wetting a butterfly. I never ever thought of doing that (as you can guess I'm pretty naive about photograhers "tricks of the trade") . I've always sprinkled salt on a birds tail to keep it in place, but I've never thought of wetting the butterfly. Is there a book or list of such techniques?
Thanks again for your constructive comments. They really mean a lot to me.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/25/2006 8:00:15 PM
Thanks for the comment Barbara but I'm confused regarding your
"but I don't go that much any ways to hurt butterflys".
I'm not quite sure how to take that but I can assure you that no butterflys were hurt or injured during my photo session with them.
These are simply beautiful creatures and I feel lucky to have one stand still long enough to be able to photograph it.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/25/2006 2:34:26 PM
Thanks Dave. I've since learned that this insect is a "Common Wood Nymph Butterfly - Cercyonis pegala". I've also seen photos of it on the web where the light spot on the wing is yellow. My photo shows it a beige color and that's what I saw so the photo is correct. I'm wondering if they, like many birds, have a time in their lives where "breeding plumage" is apparent. The American goldfinch, as an example, is bright yellow from May through July and turns a drab variation the rest of the year. They do not migrate in my area but most people don't realize that and mistake the goldfinch for a sparrow species not realizing the birds are the same and simply a color change has occurred.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/18/2006 12:50:36 AM
WOW! Between you and Dave Stacey I'm feeling really good. John, you were correct, it was hand held but the lens is a fixed 105mm. Your remark about camera shake causes me some concern. At 1/500th & f8 I didn't think it would have been apparent. This is what aging does, I guess, and I'll have to increase my Valium dosage before I shoot again. I certainly would have perferred a tripod but the critter was in the middle of the bush and at the very top. There was barely enough room left for me let alone a tripod too. Besides I was apparently annoying a huge bee of some kind and he wasn't looking friendly. Thanks for taking your time to make a constructive comment.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/17/2006 6:21:25 PM
Thanks for your comment Joe. I've attached a cropped image. Although I do have the Washington DC Zoo only 30 miles from me I still prefer to photograph only non-captive subjects.
I realize some of my photos would probably be much better if I were able to get closer to them in a zoo setting (like the exellent photo you took of the gorilla) but my back yard provides ample challlenges for me and I don't have to fight off crowds. My butterfly bush, that's blooming now, attracts an amazing amount of subjects to photograph.
I'm also quite happy with my decision to retire the 35mm N90 Nikon for the D70 and save an enormous amount of money by not having to trash hundreds of bad photos anymore.
Thanks again for the comment Joe.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
8/30/2006 5:12:25 PM
I'm thinking about hiring you as my agent.
Lee
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
4/18/2006 3:58:31 PM
Your photo is what reminded me of my photo (actually taken in 2004).
Shadow would rather chase rabbits than be one.
Lee
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
4/18/2006 3:18:03 PM
I admit I had to look that one up. You're definitely a "deep thinking" individual and after a review of your portfolio I think you have some wonderful photos.
I have a much more narrow focus about the craft and I found your sharp shinned hawk to be amazing.
Thanks for the comment (I think) 
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
2/13/2006 11:40:36 PM
Thanks, but how'bout the branch?
Lee 
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/13/2005 12:10:12 AM
I think I need to hire you as my publicity manager
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
10/7/2005 9:00:59 PM
A beautiful bird, shot, composition. Crayfish isn't bad either.
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| Photo By: Jerzy Dziedzic
(K:109)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/25/2005 2:14:04 PM
You are correct! After reading your comments I went outside and called the birds in for a re-shoot.
How's this?
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/8/2005 2:25:09 AM
OK - Thanks for clearing that up. Copy this URL into your browser. http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek050501.html
About halfway down the page on the right side you'll see a photo of a nuthatch's foot. Just to the left of the photo is text explaining (better that I) how they can do that.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/7/2005 3:23:50 PM
Actually these are quite common in this area. They are hard to capture because they never stay still. I think a shot from the side like this shows the beauty of the insect. I also think the tail looks something like a crawfish or lobster.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/7/2005 3:18:17 PM
Thanks for your kind comment Joanna. I'm sorry but I don't understand your last words "and how is it possible?"
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/7/2005 3:14:46 PM
You're correct, Joann. I was going to try a 300mm but all of a sudden the buterfly bush got busy with creatures and I decided to shoot with the 400mm instead.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/7/2005 3:13:04 PM
I love to shoot hummers. I've also noticed that I haven't seen any males here for about 2-3 weeks so I guess early migration has started here.
Thanks Dave.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
9/7/2005 3:11:30 PM
I used a flash but it was on the camera (SB800) The distance was 8 meters. After reading your comment about the focus I went back and found the flower site and it's confusing too. The flower is actually in the background but growing to the foreground. The flower out of focus is in the foreground about 18" in front of the bird. I focused on the bird's eye.
Thatks for your comment.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
5/11/2005 3:44:50 AM
What a great shot. Crisp, clean, sharp. An excellent photo.
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| Photo By: Fred Lord
(K:4790)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
3/1/2005 4:25:32 AM
Good shot Roberto. It's important to feed the squirrel. It helps take away that gamey taste
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| Photo By: Roberto Baez Duarte
(K:4297)
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Critique By:
Lee Duer (K:210)
3/1/2005 4:23:27 AM
Andre, the bill was that bright. Birds are very much like people. We all have color variations. Some are due to age. Some are due to diet. I think the fill flash helped eliminate the frontal shadows that would have been there without the flash. Thanks for your comments.
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| Photo By: Lee Duer
(K:210)
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