photography

All posts tagged photography

I love “shelfies” but…

Posted by Photonstopper on July 2, 2019
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Photo: Shelf Cloud by James Guilford, July 2, 2019

Shelf cloud photographed July 2, 2019 in central Medina County, Ohio. Note the area of heavy rain to the left, the “clear” area bearing strong winds to the right.

I love shooting shelf clouds — clouds that form a line or arc along the leading edge of a gust front in a thunderstorm. They are awe-inspiring, scary, to me they’re just beautiful in their power rugged symmetry. I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now (apologies to Joni Mitchell) and discovered something at least as impressive; clouds of chaotic shards and pieces, tumultuously flowing together as a mass. I saw this configuration with a severe thunderstorm that dropped a tornado a few weeks ago, and I saw it again today in another severe thunderstorm — after the shelf cloud passed. I still love photographing shelf clouds (called “shelfies”, a twist on self-portrait “selfies”) but…

Photo: Chaotic storm cloud. Photo by James Guilford.

Tumult. A chaotic storm cloud behind a shelf cloud.

Stormy weather

Posted by Photonstopper on June 2, 2019
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StormLight — Storm clouds close in giving last light to a farmer’s field before rain began. Canon 6D MK-2 Image.

May and June bring stormy weather and stormy weather often means dramatic skies. The evening of June 1 saw strong storms moving across Northeastern Ohio and when I saw an outflow boundary showing up strong and clear on radar, I headed out to see what was happening. I had not driven very far when I reconsidered my original observing destination and headed for the nearest open area I could find. Sweeping toward me over the treeline was a very impressive line of cloud; the line was so long I quickly shot several images using my trusty iPhone SE with the idea in mind of creating a multi-panel panorama later.

Once the outflow boundary rolled over me, I continued my trip seeking the cleanest storm edge I could find; several appeared to be headed my way but the line of storms seemed to be changing direction. After a good bit of moving around, I decided to head to the Wellington area in Lorain County as my best chance at a storm intercept. I discovered a farmer’s field access drive off a rural road and waited, surrounded by open fields, for the weather to come my way. And I waited. And waited. While I waited I photographed the changing cloudscape and wound up with my favorite view of the day — the last light illuminating a field as stormy clouds closed in. A complex and brilliant bolt of persistent Cloud to ground lightning convinced me my time in the open was done. Not set up for lightning photography, I watched from inside the car for a bit and headed into rain and home.

Outflow from thunderstorms to the north pushed out this arc of clouds. Panorama assembled from multiple iPhone SE images.

Gust front rolling in

Posted by Photonstopper on May 31, 2019
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Photo: A gust front rolls over open farm land ushering in a cold air mass and heavy rain. Photo by James Guilford.

A gust front rolls over open farm land ushering in a cold air mass and heavy rain.

On a visit to Northwest Ohio yesterday (May 30) I stepped outdoors, looked to the west and spied a beautiful sight… the ragged edge of a line of clouds in the distance.

I strolled out, beyond a treeline to get a better look and saw an impressive gust front running ahead of cold air rolling over the area! I quickly shot a series of photos of the scene using my iPhone but realized my big Canon DSLR camera was in the car. I quickly retrieved the Canon and returned to my vantage point.

Seeing how quickly the line was moving, I race-walked seeking a different view and shot a few more photos before rain drops warned me I’d better get to shelter.

Normally I drive miles to intercept phenomena such as this gust front but this time it came to me — a surprise but a convenience — saving me the trip!

Photo: A gust front rushes closer ushering in a cold air mass and heavy rain. Photo by James Guilford.

A gust front rushes closer ushering in a cold air mass and heavy rain.

Shy Wood Duck

Posted by Photonstopper on November 30, 2018
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Photo: A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Photo by James Guilford.

A male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) shyly paddles in the wetlands of Sheldon Marsh.

Working on my annual photo calendar for family and friends, I  realized I missed posting here a few shots I love from 2018. This shy male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) we spotted in the wooded shallows near the path in the Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve, Huron, Ohio. The bird soon paddled deeper in the wetland wood disappearing completely from sight. September 2018.

A cold night for early season’s greetings

Posted by Photonstopper on November 29, 2018
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Photo: The gazebo at the center of Public Square, Medina, Ohio, all dressed up for the holidays! Photo by James Guilford.

The gazebo at the center of Public Square, Medina, Ohio, all dressed up for the holidays!

It was worth braving the 24°F temperature to pay a return visit to Public Square Wednesday night, camera and tripod at-hand, to shoot some holiday pics! The recent official tree lighting was fun but, with the large and excited crowd, not a good time to set up the camera for long exposures. I’m hoping one of these, or other of my non-holiday shots will be published in the city’s bicentennial book.

Photo: Buildings along North Court Street, Medina, Ohio, are outlined in lights with windows dressed for the holiday season. Photo by James Guilford.

Buildings along North Court Street, Medina, Ohio, are outlined in lights with windows dressed for the holiday season.

Besides the brilliantly-lit iconic gazebo, the buildings around and near Medina’s historic town center are outlined in white lights, lights are strung in the branches of sidewalk trees, and most businesses have decorated their storefront windows. It’s a little early in the holiday season but the sights were worth cold fingers and feet.

Photo: South Court Street viewed from Public Square, Medina, showcases businesses and buildings in their holiday finery. Photo by James Guilford.

South Court Street viewed from Public Square, Medina, showcases businesses and buildings in their holiday finery.

Times Remembered

Posted by Photonstopper on November 9, 2018
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Photo: Times Remembered. Rustic items sit on a porch under patriotic bunting lit by late-day sun. Photo by James Guilford

Times Remembered. Rustic items sit on a porch under patriotic bunting lit by late-day sun.

A beautiful autumn day, a rarity this year, presented an excellent opportunity for a little walk. Exploring the area in the late afternoon was a pleasure and offered a few opportunities to record what I saw. My favorite sight and photo of the day was the porch of an ochre-colored house. Antiques and rustic items lined the outside walls, a patriotic fan bunting glowed in the natural spotlight of sun through trees.

Photo: Golden Glow. Late-afternoon sun highlights a cluster of yellow tree leaves. Photo by James Guilford.

Golden Glow. Late-afternoon sun highlights a cluster of yellow tree leaves.

Three eagles, two photos

Posted by Photonstopper on October 3, 2018
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Photo: Juvenile American Bald Eagle. Photo by James Guilford.

A juvenile American Bald Eagle (One of two seen Wednesday!) glides on the updrafts along the shoreline at Lake Metroparks Lake Erie Bluffs park.

Sighting an American Bald Eagle in Northern Ohio was once, not that long ago, seeing a rare bird. Fortunately the eagle population is growing and sightings are more common, though still thrilling.

A juvenile American Bald Eagle glided on the updrafts along the shoreline at the Lake Metroparks Lake Erie Bluffs park. While we eventually saw two eagles of the same apparent age, I was only able to photograph (above) this one; I believe it to be in its first year. The distinctive white head and tail feathers take about five years to fully develop.

A mature American Bald Eagle soars over Sheldon Marsh State Park, Huron, Ohio.

On an earlier September visit to Sheldon Marsh State Park, Huron, Ohio a mature American Bald Eagle soared majestically over exciting visitors as it fished the shallow waters on a Sunday afternoon. We saw the bird swoop in low over open waters, apparently missing the fish it had spotted, then climbing high to continue its patrol of the wetlands. Other visitors saw the bird catch a fish, only to have it escape. Even a fierce predator misses most of the time.