A Glimpse of Nature | Christopher L. Nelson

Galena, Illinois

Christopher Nelson — Sun, 12 May 2013 23:32:10 +0000

A recent visit to Galena, IL. took me by many beautiful Civil War era homes and Mansions. Galena was the residence of Ulysses S. Grant and eight other Civil War generals, as well as several entertainers and politicians. Once one of the most important cities in the state, Galena was a hub on the Mississippi River between St. Louis and St. Paul. It is rich in history and architecture not to mention a multitude of shops and dining choices. Below is a shot of Galena’s Main street where most of the shops and restaurants can be found.

The Belvedere Mansion and Gardens

This house is truly a walk into the history of this great nation during the time leading up to, during and after the Civil War. Ambassador J. Russell Jones served this country from shopkeeper to United States Marshall to Congress and throughout the Civil War as a champion of Ulysses S. Grant from the General’s humble residence in Galena to the seat of power in the White House. Jones remained a true friend to Eliuh Washburne, himself an honored General of the War and later Secretary of State throughout his life. Their communications are well documented and their seeds of friendship began in this very house. Lincoln called upon J. Russell Jones when he wished to know of Grant’s progress; and, the fortunes of war as far away as Paris and Brussels, as well as when Lincoln suspected that Grant might eventually take his place in the White House. From a young man, Jones tenacity for business rewarded him with the finest luxuries that life can afford (including this Victorian mansion) as well as with tragedy. (Taken from the Belvedere’s website)

Groundhog

Christopher Nelson — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:40:50 +0000

ISO 800 420mm F5.6 1/2000th sec

Did you know that groundhogs are also known as wood-chucks and are of the rodent family. They belong to a large group called Marmots. This guy ran for the safety of his burrow when he saw me but it wasn’t long before curiosity got the best of him and his little head popped up out of the hole to investigate me. Click on the image to view larger.

Old Truck

Christopher Nelson — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:01:59 +0000

I made this photo from 3 exposures (-1 EV, 0 EV, +1 EV- Handheld) taken on a recent trip to Galena, IL. and subsequently combined them in Photomatix Pro. I then made a few slight adjustments in Lightroom giving it that kinda far out, unreal look which I think looks cool on old vehicles. If you are new to HDR imaging as I am, you will find this great tutorial very helpful. If you enjoyed my photo please share with others and/or leave me a comment.

Canadian Goose

Christopher Nelson — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:26:31 +0000

I recently took advantage of Nik Software’s price reduction on the entire collection and am really liking it. This is the first time ever using any of Nik Software’s products and I must say I’m impressed. This photo of a Canadian Goose reflected in water was processed with Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4. Please click on image to view larger.

If your interested in purchasing a print click here. Please leave a comment and/or share with others.

Sinister Skies

Christopher Nelson — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:36:41 +0000

Unfortunately Illinois is far from the ideal place to go for sweeping vistas, immense mountain ranges or beautiful waterfalls. One thing Illinois does have from time to time; however, is beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Here are a couple of shots I took recently and are both 3 photo HDR images. I thought the skies were rather sinister looking. Hope you enjoy them. Click on each image to view bigger.

Old Illinois Grain Elevator

Christopher Nelson — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:43:37 +0000

This is an 8 image HDR photo of an old grain elevator taken in Illinois. Click on image to view larger.

Natures Design

Christopher Nelson — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:05:58 +0000

A Fisherman’s Reflection

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:05:48 +0000

Wild Turkeys

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 02:15:02 +0000

Anybody for a little Wild Turkey?

Great Egrets

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:29:36 +0000

The Great Egret is a fascinating bird and one I’ve never encountered until just recently. When I was out taking photographs last Saturday I not only saw a Great Blue Heron but 3 great Egret. I wasn’t able to get close enough to the Egrets for any usable photos that day but returned to the same spot today and to my surprise…6 Great Egret! One in particular was so focused on his hunting that it let me get close enough for some decent pics despite the rain and dark overcast. Here is a series of 8 photos taken today. Click on the images to view larger.

After watching him in the trees for a while I left for just a bit and came back to find him down in the water hunting.

It was really fun to watch this one hunt. Standing perfectly still and then striking lightning fast. Although at times it would kind of wobble its head and neck. I’m learning quit a lot about them as I go. A good resource I use is The Cornell Lab of Ornithology @ http://www.allaboutbirds.org.

Please leave a comment and share with others if you enjoyed the post.

You can view my entire Gallery of Great Egrets here.

It was fun while it lasted!

Christopher Nelson — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 21:28:24 +0000

As per my usual Saturday morning routine, I was up early and out to one of my favorite places to take wildlife photos. I knew it was going to be a productive day when the first thing I saw when I arrived at my chosen site were 3 Great Egret! Of course as soon as I was within 100 yards of them they flew off. I got my self blinded up and waited and waited….and waited. To my delight the Egret returned and brought a Great Blue Heron with them! I’ll let my pictures tell the rest of the story…….

He’s Getting closer and closer!

ISO 1400, 420 mm, f 8.0, 1/2000th sec

ISO 1250, 420 mm, f 6.3, 1/2000th sec

Oh Crap, I think he see’s me!

ISO 1100, 420 mm, f 6.3, 1/2000th sec

ISO 1600, 420 mm, f 7.1, 1/2000th sec

ISO 1250, 420 mm, f 7.1, 1/2000th sec

Yep!!

ISO 1400, 420 mm, f 7.1, 1/2000th sec

It was sure fun while it lasted! If you enjoyed my post please comment and share with others. I welcome your feedback. You can click on each image to view larger.

One legged Bird!

Christopher Nelson — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 19:51:23 +0000

I was out in my backyard the other day attempting to get some shots of birds in flight which is no easy task let me tell ya. Once I got my photos uploaded to Lightroom, I was surprised to find what I believe is a juvenile European Starling (minus one leg) but I might be wrong on the ID. We’ll never know how it happened (although Piper our cat may know) but it looks like he came through it OK. The second image is an adult European Starling. BTW as far as pics of birds in flight….no keepers that day.

If you like my post please leave me a comment of share with others. Also if you think I’ve got the ID on the one-legged bird wrong, tell me what you think it is.

View my entire Portfolio here.

Follow me on Twitter

Where Land and Sky Meet

Christopher Nelson — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:24:22 +0000

3 photo HDR image taken at a nearby state park yesterday late afternoon. Processed in Photomatix Pro. Camera used was my Nikon D7000 w/ 18-105 mm zoom, handheld.

To purchase a print, click here.

A few Photos from my Backyard

Christopher Nelson — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:46:27 +0000

Sometimes it’s fun to just stay in my backyard at take pictures rather than packing all my equipment up and driving somewhere in the early morning hours. Here are a few pics of some of my backyard visitors taken this morning.

If you enjoyed my photos, I would very much appreciate it if you would share them via social media and/or leave me a comment. Thank you!

Running a Road to No Where

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 02:54:26 +0000

I suppose we all feel we’re on a road to no where at times.

“If you don’t know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.” ~Henry A. Kissinger

Snow Birds

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 03:13:49 +0000

I was out enjoying the fresh snow today and came upon several Robins having a good time snacking on berries. They actually let me walk right up to them to within about 5 feet. Here are a few of my favorites. I was using my Nikon D300s with Nikon 300 mm f4 lens and Nikon 1.4X teleconverter, handheld. Hope you enjoy them!

Not Spring yet

Christopher Nelson — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:36:35 +0000

As if Old Man Winter were giving the finger to the groundhog, snow and ice came back once again to central Illinois yesterday. It was good stuff for taking pictures, though. Here are a few I took on the way home from work. I only had my Nikon 300 mm f4 lens with me making for some tight shots. Can’t wait for Springs rebirth! Hope you enjoy!

Photo or Painting?

Christopher Nelson — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:50:16 +0000

I’m sure every photographer has an image or two they thought was not quite good enough to post for one reason or another but just couldn’t get themselves to discard it. Well such is the case with this photo. This pic of a Canada goose I thought was just not sharp enough to post but liked it and I didn’t want to delete it. I’ve recently seen other photographers using a painting effect on their photos and thought it was really cool. So when I came across this Photoshop plugin which I learned about in Martin Belan’s (@MartinBelan) recent Blog post (http://blog.martinbelan.com/2013/02/using-akvis-artwork-to-create-gouache-paintings-from-your-photos/) I thought I would try it.

Here is the result I got applying an oil painting effect to the photograph using Akvis Artwork plugin in Photoshop.

I really thought the final result was pretty good. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

“Looking Down”

Christopher Nelson — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:19:27 +0000

I’m looking forward to summer and the return of our little speedy friends that visit our backyard. Here is one of the photos I got this past year….not easy to get at first let me tell ya but like anything it gets easier with practice and a lot of patience.

Old Time Bridge

Christopher Nelson — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:38:07 +0000

Here are a few HDR images of an old bridge I took recently. I was at the beginning of a late afternoon photo “jaunt” out around the area where I live which was highlighted by me slipping in the mud under the bridge, nearly dislocating my shoulder and sliding precariously down the bank, camera and tripod in hand, nearly into the water. Needless to say my backside, coat and shoes were caked with mud. Even though I felt a bit foolish and jumped up as quick as I could to see if anyone had observed my acrobatics, I did not let it deter me from the rest of the day doing what I love…taking pictures ( mud and all)! Hope you enjoy them. Click on the images to view larger. Leave a comment and tell me which one you like best.