A Look at Our February Adventures

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February has kept us busy, and despite the unpredictable weather, we’ve found plenty of opportunities to capture nature in action. For those of you just starting out, winter and early spring can offer unique and stunning photo moments, even when the skies are gray. Don’t let the weather discourage you—some of the most striking shots come from these conditions!

In Greene County, we’ve continued to see large flocks of Snow Geese, Greater White-Fronted Geese, and Sandhill Cranes. If you’re into wildlife photography, capturing birds in flight can be a rewarding challenge. Pro tip: use a fast shutter speed and continuous focus (AF-C mode) to freeze the motion of wings and keep the birds sharp against the sky. Sadly, we've noticed signs of Avian Flu affecting some of the birds, a reminder that nature can be both beautiful and harsh.

To break away from the cold, we took a trip south to Henderson, KY, and visited Audubon State Park. If you're new to photography, parks like this offer a great place to practice your landscape shots and experiment with different compositions. Whether you're capturing the flooded Ohio River or the quiet trails, always remember to look for natural lines or patterns in the landscape that can lead your viewer’s eye deeper into the image.

James has been honing his night and astrophotography skills this month. Shooting the night sky can seem daunting at first, but don’t be afraid to give it a try. Here are a few tips if you want to capture the stars:

1. Use a sturdy tripod. Keeping your camera still is key.

2. Set your ISO high (try 1600 or higher) to capture more light.

3. Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) to allow more light in.

4. Start with a 20-30 second exposure, but experiment until you find the right settings for your environment. James will be sharing some of his shots on his social media soon, so be sure to follow along!

   
   

The last day of February brought us a gorgeous day in the mid-60s, perfect for more wildlife photography. Early in the morning, James headed to a local lake to capture ducks and other wildlife. Waterfowl photography can be a fun challenge. For beginners, try focusing on the eyes of the animals and getting low to the ground for more dramatic perspectives.

Later, we spotted hundreds of Snow Geese heading toward Goose Pond. When photographing large groups like this, remember to focus on one subject at a time to avoid a cluttered image. It’s tempting to capture the whole scene, but isolating one bird or a smaller group can create a more compelling shot. We also saw a group of juvenile bald eagles enjoying the windy conditions, two of them even practicing in-flight sparring! Wildlife interactions like this make for some of the most exciting and dynamic shots—be patient, and you’ll be rewarded with moments that tell a story.

On a related note, we checked on an old eagle nest we've been following for about five years. Sadly, the nest was abandoned, likely because the sycamore tree holding it was deteriorating. If you're interested in documenting nature over time, creating a series of photos that tell the story of a place or animal's life can be a meaningful project. We did, however, spot a new nest nearby—a reminder that nature is always evolving.

Sunday brought more signs of spring, with red-winged blackbirds returning and another stunning display of Snow Geese in flight. For beginner photographers, sunset is one of the best times to shoot. The warm, golden light can add a soft glow to your photos and bring out the colors in the sky and on the landscape. We love watching the geese as they move in different directions—some headed west, others north—marking the shift toward warmer days.

Spring is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to get outside with your camera. As the season changes, so does the light, and new photo opportunities are everywhere. Keep your camera handy, and don’t be afraid to experiment!