Wishing everybody a safe and prosperous year!
Happy New Year!
All the best,
Andrew
Posted in Animals, Birds, Birds of Prey, ontario, Photo Tour, Wildlife, Winter, workshops, tagged 2021, andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, Birds, birds of prey, happy new year, ontario nature photographer on January 1, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Wishing everybody a safe and prosperous year!
Happy New Year!
All the best,
Andrew
Posted in Animals, Birds, Caribbean, Cayman Brac, Impressions in Nature, Landscapes, Macro, Macro Photography, Oceans, ontario, parry sound, Photo Gear, Photo Tour, Wetlands, Wildlife, workshops, tagged andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, autumn colour, cayman brac, insects, lake superior, landscape photography, macro photography, ontario, ontario nature photographer, ontario nature photography, top 20 2020 on December 31, 2020| 2 Comments »
2020 has certainly been a challenging year for so many people throughout the world.
The past year really limited many of my photographic adventures from cancelling workshops to being locked down at home. Fortunately I was able to make my way to Cayman Brac for two weeks in late February. The world shut down shortly after my return in March. During the summer months I concentrated my efforts on extreme macro photography around my rural home, often not even having to leave my property. By the time autumn came around I was able to continue with my Muskoka Autumn Colour Spectacular Workshop and Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Workshop. As a result my top 20 images for 2020 have been selected from my Cayman Brac trip, insect photography at home, autumn colour, and the Lake Superior coast.
I hope you enjoy viewing this selection of imagery.
Here’s to a better year in 2021!
Posted in Birds, Muskoka, ontario, Uncategorized, tagged andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, backyard birdfeeders, bird photography, bird photography set-ups, Birds, hummingbirds, nature photography, photography, ruby-throated hummingbirds on June 7, 2020| 1 Comment »
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Petunia Blossom
During this time of social distancing I have been spending a bit of time perfecting my backyard birdfeeder set-ups. In particular my hummingbird set-up as I have never really devoted much time to it.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are the only hummingbird species that visit my feeders in south-central Ontario but watching them visit the various flowers in the garden gives me great ideas for creating set-ups for pleasing imagery. I will often use a Wimberley Plamp to hold various perches or flowers. When using small perches I place the the twigs in close proximity to the feeders to give the hummingbirds a spot to land in between feedings. When using flowers as props I will remove the hummingbird feeder and use the Wimberley Plamp to hold the blossom. Spraying the blossom with sugar water from the feeder will get the birds attention and they can easily be photographed at various types of blossoms for variety in your imagery. If you scroll down you will see how I use the Plamp to hold props. When using real flowers I recommend using water tubes to keep the blossom hydrated so that it will last longer.
On occasion I will place some colorful silk flowers far in the background to provide some added out of focus color.
As you scroll through the imagery here in this post you will notice the last image is VERY much out of focus. This occurred due to the speed at which the hummingbirds fly around and the camera losing focus in the process, but nonetheless it does appear like an intentional in-camera creative blur so I decided to keep the image file 🙂 A happy accident of sorts 🙂
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at Solomon’s Seal Blossom
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird at rest
A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird at rest
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird taking flight
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Hummingbird Feeder Set-up
Hummingbird Feeder Set-up
Out of focus Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Posted in Animals, Aquatic Wildlife, Birds, Caribbean, Cayman Brac, Fish, Landscapes, Oceans, Photo Tour, Uncategorized, Underwater Photography, Wildlife, workshops, tagged andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, brid photography, brown booby, cayman brac, cayman islands, frogs, iguana, landscape photography, landscapes, ocean, oceans, ontario photographer, sister island rock iguana, underwater photography, wildlife photography on March 10, 2020| Leave a Comment »
Brown Booby in Flight
I returned on March 4th from a two week stay on the remote Caribbean island of Cayman Brac. It was by far a very productive trip with a multitude of great images captured. As usual the nesting Brown Booby birds put an an awesome show from nesting activities to in flight opportunities.
Sunrise and sunsets were a little trickier to be had this year due to heavy clouds out on the horizon, but nonetheless perseverance paid off. Virtually all of my sunrise and sunset imagery was created using stacked ND and reverse grad filters. The ND filters coupled with the reverse grads allowed me to slow the shutter speed down sufficiently to allow the incoming ocean waves to blur out nice and soft. My choice of filters for these scenes were the Singh-Ray Filters 3-Stop ND Filter, Mor-Slo 5-stop ND FIlter, and the 3_stop Reverse Graduated ND Filter
During my snorkel excursions my Nikon D500 and Nikkor 18-35mm lens inside an Ewa Marine Housing proved perfect for many of the ocean fishes encountered. I had great success with Octopus, Spotted Scorpionfish and many other often difficult to photograph while snorkeling species. I will do a full blog post on the underwater success I had in the near future.
I was also quite ecstatic with finding a very co-operative, female Sister Islands Rock Iguana. These iguanas are sadly critically endangered now, but efforts are underway to lend a helping hand, which entails eradicating invasive Green Iguanas.
As you scroll down through the images you will see a host of wonderful opportunities that were to be found during this trip. Stay tuned for announcements for the 2021 trip very soon.
Daybreak on Cayman Brac
Spotted Scorpionfish
Sister Island Rock Iguana
Daybreak on Cayman Brac
Brown Booby Preening
West Indian Whistling Ducks
Brown Booby Family
Yellow Stingray
Sunrise at Pollard Bay, Cayman Brac
Octopus
Green Heron
Willet
White-spotted File Fish
Cuban Tree Frog (invasive on Cayman Brac)
Posted in Amphibians, Animals, Announcements, Birds, Birds of Prey, Black & White, Horseshoe Lake, Impressions in Nature, Landscapes, Macro, Macro Photography, Muskoka, ontario, parry sound, Uncategorized, Wetlands, Wildlife, Winter, workshops, tagged algonquin provincial park, amphibians, andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, bruce peninsula, frog, frogs, georgian bay, lake superior, muskoka, muskoka lakelands, ontario, Photo Tour, photographic workshops on December 30, 2019| 4 Comments »
Milky Way Night-scape at the Algonquin Radio Observatory
I decided not to wait until January to share with you my personal 20 favorite images that I captured during 2019. Many of the selected images were created during several of my workshops this past year. I always teach by example and capture various images to share with participants, in-the-field, so they too can create similar photos. The first image in this post was created during the Lake Traverse Photography Retreat with night-scape scenes of the massive satellite being the highlight of the trip. We have been blessed with clear skies every year for this workshop and hopefully 2020 we will be blessed with the same conditions.
In-camera Pan Blur of Birch Trees, Wawa, Ontario
Even when photography conditions seem to be less than ideal there is always something to photograph, which is what I demonstrated during my Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat when I created the above in-camera vertical pan blur of birch trees in late day light.
Over-Under Bullfrog, Parry Sound, Ontario
During some my personal photography days I made good use of my final days with the family cottage to create my all-time favorite frog-scape scenes as can be seen in the above and below images of a large male Bullfrog in it’s watery home within the wetland on Horseshoe lake near Parry Sound, Ontario. These two frog-scapes were created using the Laowa 15mm 1:1 Wide Angle Macro Lens on a Nikon D500.
Bullfrog-scape, Parry Sound, Ontario
The following two photographs were created in March on a personal excursion with two past workshop participants. We had an incredible afternoon exploring the icy shoreline and caves of Georgian Bay on the Bruce Peninsula. In fact we loved it so much we will likely be going back again this winter 🙂
Ice Cave, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
Halfway Rock Point, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
My first-ever Bruce Peninsula Workshop was a great success with many wonderful opportunities, especially those we encountered on two separate mornings at Half Way Log Dump on Georgian Bay. The image below was created during a foggy morning with the Laowa 12mm Zero D Lens. Stay tuned for the 2020 Bruce Peninsula Workshop announcement in the new year.
Halfway Log Dump, Bruce Peninsula, Ontario
Personal trips to the North Shore Rugged Hiking Trail in Parry Sound always yields impressive vistas. Watch for single day workshops at this location to be announced for the 2020 season.
Sunset on Georgian Bay, Parry Sound, Ontario
Late October found me on the shores of Lake Superior with two back to back events and some of the absolute best landscape photography conditions I have encountered in the area to date. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to photograph this impressive area of the province. Registration is open for the 3rd Annual Lake Superior Wild & Scenic Photography Retreat.
Afternoon Light on Lake Superior in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario
Sunset on Lake Superior, Wawa, Ontario
In July I bid farewell to 35 years at the family cottage and will miss exploring the wetland on the lake as it is where I created a significant number of memorable imagery over the years. Below are two photos that were created in the weeks leading up the departure.
Fragrant White Waterlilies on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Storm Clouds at Dusk in Wetland, Parry Sound, Ontario
Hatchery Falls on the Skeleton River is a highlight of the Muskoka Winter Waterfall Spectacular Workshop and I am really looking forward to being back in the area this coming weekend for the 3rd annual event. If you are looking for a last minute photography workshop in beautiful Muskoka there are still a couple of spaces available. Please contact me by clicking here if interested.
Hatchery Falls in Winter, Muskoka, Ontario
When I discovered the newly emerging Green Darner Dragonfly this summer it was a perfect opportunity to test out my dual flash system for macro photography. More to come on that later 🙂
Green Darner Dragonfly, Parry Sound, Ontario
The Lake Superior coast in Pukaskwa National Park near Marathon, Ontario as long been a favorite of mine. When I had a couple of personal days in between my two Lake Superior events I made the trek further north to explore the impressive ruggedness of the area.
Lake Superior, Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario
I do not particularity do a lot of bird photography but when a rare visitor of Ontario’s boreal forest over-winters 20 minutes from home it is worth every effort to capture it. My favorite image of the Northern Hawk Owl was created during a light snow flurry on a bitterly cold day. It was not until after the owl landed in this tree that I became aware of the meadow vole it had cached in the tree earlier.
Northern Hawk Owl, Schomberg, Ontario
In April I hosted an Ohio State Reformatory Workshop with Sherry Butts. It was a great success and we look forward to meeting the new participants for the 2020 event. If you wish to sign up for the 2020 Ohio State Reformatory Photo Tour please reach out to me by clicking here. The image below with the red chair was created in the library and the sunrays were added using Luminar for a creative effect.
Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio
The Tan Jumping Spider below was my first attempt at photographing very small subjects using a 105mm macro lens with a Raynox DCR-250 diopter and dual flash tubes. My wife had informed me of a spider on the ceiling in the kitchen. I said I would get me camera ready 🙂 I carefully moved the spider onto a small piece of bark for a natural setting. In 2020, once insects emerge from hibernation please watch for many posts about extreme macro photography.
Tan Jumping Spider, Thornton, Ontario
The final two images that are among my personal favorites for 2019 were created in the Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve in Muskoka, Ontario on a glorious morning with clear skies and cool temperatures. These conditions were perfect for creating a significant amount of mist rising from the surrounding wetlands, that began to glow a fiery orange when the sun rose over the horizon. A Nikkor 200-500mm lens was used to create each of these images.
Daybreak in the Torrance Barrens, Muskoka, Ontario
Red Maple in the Mist, Muskoka, Ontario
As 2020 approaches I am looking forward to the new opportunities that will arise, and to meeting new and past workshop participants.
Posted in Animals, Birds, Birds of Prey, ontario, Uncategorized, Wildlife, tagged andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, birds of prey, canada, nature photographer, nature photography, north america, northern hawk owl, ontario, ontario photographer, owls, winter, winter birds, winter wildlife on December 20, 2019| 10 Comments »
Northern Hawk Owl (Surnia ulula) in tree with cached Meadow Vole, Ontario, Canada
On the morning of December 19th fellow photographer and friend Don Johnston and myself made an early morning trip to a location, near my home, with an over-wintering Northern hawk Owl. It was a bitterly cold morning with temperatures hovering around -21 degrees Celsius. Upon our arrival the owl was sitting high in a tree with no possibility for any successful imagery. We set-up near a small tree along one of the roads to keep an eye on the owl’s movements and chatted while drinking our coffees to stay warm. Soon the forecasted snow flurries began with large fluffy flakes falling. After waiting for over an hour the owl decided to leave its perch high in the tree and descend to a lower perch, which just so happened to be in the tree we were standing in close proximity too. This tree, unknown to us held a previously cached Meadow Vole. Northern Hawk Owls are known for hunting and caching their kills in the crooks of branches, behind tree bark, and even burying them in the snow. They can reserve precious energy this way by returning to cached prey to feed, rather than to go on the hunt again. The owl remained in the tree for about 10 minutes allowing us a wonderful opportunity to capture numerous horizontal and vertical poses amid the beautiful falling snow. Indeed it felt like an early Christmas present 🙂
Posted in Amphibians, Animals, Astrophotography, Birds, Creative Visions, Frogs and Toads, Horseshoe Lake, Landscapes, Macro, Muskoka, ontario, parry sound, Reptiles and Amphibians, Uncategorized, Wetlands, tagged andrew mclachlan, andrew mclachlan photography, bullfrog, canada, frog-scape, Horseshoe Lake, landscape photography, muskoka, muskoka lakes, ontario, Parry Sound, wetlands, wildlife photography on August 23, 2019| 4 Comments »
Water Lilies in Wetland, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
All good things come to an end eventually. On July 31, 2019 I bid farewell to the family cottage on Horseshoe Lake near Parry Sound, Ontario as it was sold to new owners. I will miss the area dearly as it is where my love of nature photography took hold. It is where I began to explore woodlands, beaver ponds, and wetlands to gain the knowledge that has allowed me to photograph many of my most cherished images. It is also the place where I perfected my Bullfrog-scapes
After spending a couple of weeks there prior to the closing date of the sale I was lucky enough to be graced with numerous photographic opportunities, so there will be plenty more images to share in the coming weeks. During these two weeks it felt like all the wildlife I photographed over the years had come to bid farewell as I had so many amazing close-up encounters with many of the species that inhabit the lake, and surrounding forest.
I hope to return to the area at least once a year to continue to document the wildlife in the large wetland near the cottage property and to continue my explorations of the small lakes hidden in the forest, but for now here is a selection of imagery that I created during my last two weeks at the cottage. I do have many, many more unprocessed image files from Horseshoe Lake that I will continue to share as time and temperment allow 🙂
Sadly, after 35 years, this chapter of my life has come to an end. However, as one chapter closes another will open and it only takes one step to start that journey.
Stay tuned
Bullfrog in wetland habitat, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Eastern Painted Turtle, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Wetland on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Green Darner Dragonfly, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Common Loon, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Tree Swallows, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Wetland on Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Over-under Bullfrog, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Common Merganser, Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Milky Way over Horseshoe Lake, Parry Sound, Ontario
Posted in Birds, Caribbean, Cayman Brac, Photo Tour, Uncategorized, Wildlife, workshops, tagged andrew mclachlan, bird photography, caribbean, cayman brac, cayman islands, Photo Tour, tropical on June 29, 2019| Leave a Comment »
Join yours truly on the Caribbean island of Cayman Brac from February 17 to February 21, 2020 for my second land-based photo tour of this rugged tropical paradise.
I was pleased to have world famous bird photographer Arthur Morris attend my first-ever photo tour on Cayman Brac. What did Arthur have to say about the trip;
“A friend and I had the pleasure of attending Andrew’s Cayman Brac workshop in February 2018. With his extensive local knowledge and local contacts he was able to put us in great position every morning and afternoon. Andrew was great at helping this old man with his gear. And he was punctual and cordial as well as knowledgeable. We made a zillion great images of Brown Boobies doing all sorts of things from flying to courting to copulating to sitting on eggs to tending and feeding chicks sized from tiny ones to big ones. You can see the Brown Booby images by visiting www.BIRDSASART-Blog.com, typing either “Cayman Brac” of “Brown Booby” in the little white box on the trop right of each blog post page, and then hitting the search icon.”
The main objective of this photo tour will be photographing nesting Brown Booby however, epic sunrises looking out over the Caribbean Sea at the base of the 140 foot bluff will not be over-looked, nor will the abstract opportunities inside many of Cayman Brac’s caves. During this time of year it is also possible to photograph numerous species of herons, endangered West Indian Whistling Duck, endangered Cayman Brac Parrot, as well as the critically endangered Cayman Brac Iguana.
During the mid-day hours when conditions are not particularly suitable for land based photography participants can explore the island on their own, grab some rest and relaxation, or accompany me on snorkeling excursions at numerous shore diving sites. These snorkel excursions are a great way to try your hand at underwater photography. I can provide advice on how best to get your gear into the water for those that are interested in this option.
Participants are expected to have a good understanding of their camera system and should be prepared for walking distances at some locations of 1-2 kilometres. While much of the terrain we will be walking over is easy it is important to note that there are other sections where it is uneven due to Cayman Brac’s eroded limestome coast. In some areas the eroded limestone is quite jagged and not for the faint of heart. You are responsible for your own safety at all times. Please do not hesitate to inquire if you have any concerns.
• $1275.00 US Currency ( a signed waiver of liability form must accompany payment)
Accommodation and meals (aside from the farewell dinner) are not included with this Photo Tour. I will be using the Carib Sands Condominiums as my home base and do recommend that participants book there accommodation there as well, although you are welcome to explore other rental opportunities on the island. With condominium rentals you are also responsible for your own toiletries, etc. Indicated below are the rates for condo rentals through Carib Sands (contact info will be provided to those interested in registering):
• Per night in a one bedroom condo US$200
• Per night in a two bedroom condo US$260
• Per night in a three bedroom condo US$385
February 17:
6:00 p.m. meet and greet at the Carib Sands Pool
February 18 to 21:
6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. morning session for sunrise and bird life (various locations depending on weather conditions)
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. free time or complimentary snorkel excursions
3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. evening session for sunset and bird life (various locations depending on weather conditions)
February 21
Farewell Dinner at 7:00 p.m. (rough time estimate – to be confirmed the day of)
• In-the-field photographic instruction
• Transportation for photo tour participants during excursions (departing from Carib Sands)
• In-the-field image review
• Farewell dinner on February 21
• Complimentary snorkel excursions for interested attendees
• Free WiFi at Condominium
• All flights to and from Cayman Brac
• Accommodations
• Meals
• Drinks
• Transportation outside of the photo tour excursions (folks attending daily snorkel excursions will be provided transportation based on availability)
• Masks, Fins, and Snorkels
Cayman Brac 2020 is open to a maximum of 4 participants. No minimum number required.
To reserve your spot in this photo tour your payment of $1275.00 USD is due now. At the time of booking a signed waiver form will be required and will be emailed to interested participants so that they can return the signed forms with their cheque made payable to: Andrew McLachlan. Please contact me via email by clicking here to reserve your spot today.
120 days prior to tour date full refund less cancellation fee of $500 US
Less than 120 days no refund. It is recommended that you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
Posted in Birds, Birds of Prey, ontario, Uncategorized, tagged andrew mclachlan, bird photography, Birds, birds of prey, cootes paradise, eastern screech owl, nature, photography, red winged blackbird, sping, springtime on March 27, 2019| 10 Comments »
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Spring has arrived in my neck of the woods. There is nothing more wonderful than waking to the song of the male Red-winged Blackbirds upon their return. They always seem to arrive overnight. One day all is quiet and then the next morning the songs of Red-winged Blackbirds fill the air. The above bird was photographed yesterday in Ontario’s Cootes Paradise as it sang from a perch at the edge of a wetland. Earlier in the day an Eastern Screech Owl was discovered basking at the entrance of a tree cavity that was facing the rising sun.
Each of today’s photographs are straight out of the camera, with very little post processing applied – my preferred way to go when photographing wildlife!
Eastern Screech Owl – Gray Phase