Emerald Bay Photography News and Updates

Last Friday, I witnessed an attempted murder.

The crime scene? Mirror Pond, Drake Park, downtown Bend, Oregon. April 14, 2006 - roughly 2pm.

The crime? The attempted drowning of a male Mallard duck by none other than a gang of fellow male Mallard ducks.







While obviously violence is no stranger to the animal world, we generally don't think of DUCKS as savage or ferocious creatures.

The attempted drowning seemed shockingly pre-meditated and coordinated, and left me frozen in astonishment, barely able to point the camera at the spectacle. I briefly looked around for a rock to throw at the party, hoping to break it up and free the poor under-duck, but no such luck.

And as I stood there, witnessing an agitated cluster of no less than 3 to 4 ducks at any time, grabbing the victims head with their bills and holding it under water, again and again - it occured to me that it's not only a dog-eat-dog world. It's also a duck-eat-duck world.

But before someone at PETA gets their panties in a knot, please note that I said "attempted" drowning.

Yes. The duck got away. Barely, I must say (in a couple of instances I thought he wasn't going to make it for sure), but he did.

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

What do you get if you combine some olympic-grade snowboarders, a world-class event and a really, really nasty blizzard?

A very cool, but cancelled event. With some unhappy snowboarders. And some serious fresh powder.

Such it was last Saturday at the Chevrolet US Snowboard Grand Prix. No less than 15 minutes after I arrived at the Superpipe (and *after* checking in at the media desk and then huffing and puffing my way up the steep and snowy hill for 10 minutes, mind you), the cool dude who had narrated the event with much gusto, informed all the other resident dudes and dudettes that - uhmm, so *totally* sorry, man - the event would be postponed until later, or at least the next day.

I fired off exactly 15 frames prior to that, obsessively trying to protect my rather water-sensitive camera from the driving snow and hoping Mother Nature would chill. No use.

I did see some rad moves by the snowboard kids, but documentation in the manner intended (with blue skies, sunshine, and actually being able to see out of my eyes) fell sadly short, to say the least. Hence, below pictures:





Yepp, they suck. I know.

Making my way back to the base then, I came to know what the term "snow blind" means. With snow crystals, sharp like tiny razors, coming at me with insane speeds, not even the combined efforts of my sunglasses, hood, and shawl were able to protect my eyes enough to actually be able to keep them open - I staggered down the hill blind, having faith in the fact that *other people* could (maybe) see me and get out of the way in time.

On Sunday, I contemplated a return to shoot the Superpipe and the Slope-style finals, but after checking the Mountain's Weather Page and Webcam and seeing nothing but snow, I ditched it in favor of another adrenaline sport - playing four solid hours of Baldur's Gate.

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, editorial photographer Bend Oregon, Editorial Photography, oregon stock photography, photography, sports fitness photographer Bend Oregon

This morning was 10 degrees Fahrenheit outside (that's 12 below freezing to you Celsius-people out there). Yepp, that's cold.

What was neat though, is that we got a healty dose of hoarfrost with it. So of course I tortured my camera for a bit by venturing out around the house where the subjects seemed to abound ...


Hoarfrost lets you see every tiny little snowflakelet in all its individual glory.


The garage door windows yielded some astounding patterns.


And even the icycles got a little frosty!

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

It snowed yesterday. And it got *real* cold.

So what's a photographer to do? Run out at the first blink of morning with the camera, of course! So these are literally fresh off the CF card ...

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

Random Image for the Day:


Mountain Bluebird - Mt. Jefferson in the background

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

I'm not a birder. Really. I'm not. I just happen to live in a house that looks at the world at mid-tree level - with very large windows. And since that's where birds tend to live, I see a lot of them. So I have a mild interest in them. Especially the colorful ones.

When I first moved to Central Oregon, I actually took an informal survey of bird species that would visit my feeders year-round. I counted something like 42. Over the past 3 years now, I've come to know them all pretty well. So I notice when there's suddendly a new species around. Mostly one that doesn't belong here.

This has been the case with two new species I've come across over the past couple of weeks. One was this Blackbacked Woodpecker:



The Audubon Guide tells me that this uncommon woodpecker resides largely up North, in an area stretching from Western Alaska all the way over to the East Coast of Canada.

Then, two days ago, I saw a Redbreasted Sapsucker hanging around my feeder. It is supposed to live mainly in coastal areas, from BC down to California. Not in the High Desert of Oregon.

Now maybe those are just a couple of freak sightings - or maybe then again, they are not. Could it be that global warming has started to show its face by encouraging the redistribution of bird territories? I know it's completely hypothetical - but it's possible, isn't it?

Anyone with more info or a similarly unusual sighting, please leave a comment. I want to get to the bottom of this.

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

Yesterday, I went down to the Deschutes River in La Pine, near Pringle Falls, taking some shots for the Upper Deschutes River Natural Resources Coalition.

The waterlevel looked to be about 6 to 8 feet below normal, exposing the black obsidian on the river's shore, in places whitened by dried algae. An older fisherman I came cross only mutely shook his head when I asked him how the fish were biting, and shuffled off with his head hanging low.

Given what I had to work with, I decided on some close-ups - of which this one here became my favorite:



(By the way, it's all private property down there. I got permission in advance from the homeowners association to access this part of the river, so please, folks, don't go trampling around down there without asking first.)

I later talked to the president of the homeowners association, who told me that every year around this time, the powers in charge of the water supply turn off the faucet at the dam upstream, leaving only just enough water so the fish can survive. It stays that way until spring. The reason is conservation - so the farmers down-stream will have enough supply next summer to water their crops.

Now, I could launch into this long rant about how I detest the practices of the local water-management officials who seem to base their decisions purely on a commercial rationale, and with little regards towards the natural health of the river, its inhabitants and the wildlife who relies on it. But - that would do little good, now would it?

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, editorial photographer Bend Oregon, Editorial Photography, oregon stock photography, photography

I'm no wildlife photographer.

I'm not saying that because I don't *like* to photograph animals. Rather - quite frankly - I'm not terribly good at it. I lack the patience to sit in one spot for hours, observing, stalking and waiting for the wildlife to come along. I lack the ultra-big and fast lenses that are simply a requirement for anyone wanting to shoot wildlife seriously. And I lack the experience to be able to frame an animal in an exciting-never-before-seen-way when it does come along - I'm usually just giddily happy when I even get one in front of the lens.

Yet when wildlife insists on doing cool stuff right in front of me (aka my own backyard) and if I can go observe and photograph it at my leisure (aka from my own deck), even I can be persuaded to take the occasional animal shot.

Point in case:


About 3 months ago, I noticed that the tree with the nesting hole (roughly 70 feet from my living room window) had a new tenant - a pair of Kestrel Falcons (also often referred to as Sparrow Hawks). While they're abundant and widespread in the U.S., I felt nonetheless honored that they would choose *my* tree over others to nest in. Soon, they were busy at work too - freeing my yard of gophers and other vermin, and delighting me with their flying acrobatics.

Not long after, the nest was getting noisy. We started hearing loud and high-pitched demands of food from baby kestrels, and saw the parents working tirelessly to provide for them. The weekend before last then, I saw them for the first time - almost already at full size and plumage, three young falcons sat on the branches surrounding the nesting hole. I watched them flail around, beat their wings, but mostly just cry for more food. I figured, they'd be there for a while, so I didn't bother to take any pictures.

The very next day however, one of the youngsters took his first flight. In the beginning, I saw him make only short trips to surrounding trees. Then longer ones. Until finally, the entire brood took the plunge. That's when I decided that I should probably take my camera, put the dreaded tele-converter (I really hate those things - they make your camera slow and add grain) on my 300mm (in effect 450mm) lens, and head down to the tree. Hand-held, I was able to snap a few images of the young Kestrels as they hung out in their nesting tree, resting before the next flighing attempt.

Good thing I got that done too. The very next day, both parents and their three young were gone. I haven't seen or heard them since. But it's taught me a couple of valuable lessons - for one, my equipment sucks for taking wildlife shots. And two - I'm no wildlife photographer. I'll happily return to contemplating angles and lighting on structures again...

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography

Another image from my Vienna file - Hofreitschule (Royal Riding School):



The interesting thing about this image is not necessarily the fact that these stunning and famous Lippizaner Stallions are being worked in what must be the world's most lavish riding hall - but how difficult it was to actually *obtain* the image.

Because you see - the facility has a strict no-photo policy. And by "strict" those Austrians really mean *strict* (the word "Nazi" creeps to mind, but I won't go there...). During the entire workout presentation, they had guards with sinister faces circulating among the crowd, yelling at you if they even sensed you were thinking about using that camera that hung around your neck. They even threatened to kick you out of the building altogether if they caught you in the act.

They claimed that the flashes of (those mostly all-automatic consumer) cameras made the horses nervous and irritable - and while I actually don't dispute that, they could have just had a no-flash policy instead of a no-photo policy. (The fact that the adjoining gift store was loaded with pretty postcards and picture books of the building and the horses probably had absolutely nothing to do with their policy either ...). After all, my 10D took a perfectly good image without flash and an almost silent shutter...

Astonishingly (and this explains the very presence of the guards), at almost any given moment during the entire 2-hour presentation, you could hear the faint clicks of shutters - mixed in with the blasting tune of Mozart's music - and see the flashes. At this point, I have to sheepishly admit to ganging up with my travel companions in keeping one eye on the guards, while we took turns sneaking our cameras out of the bag, taking a shot, and then instantly dropping it back into the bag or under the shirt.

Why? Because you see - we humans are weak. The breathtaking beauty of the hall, combined with those stunning horses doing flabbergasting things we never thought a horse could do (except in Disney movies), is simply too much for the mere mortal tourist with his camera - it simply has to be recorded. For all eternity. And of course for your friends at home to see. We are even willing to take the risk of a confrontation with one of the meanest guards anywhere just to satisfy one of our most basic urges: the irresistible need to click away.

Labels: oregon stock photography, photography, travel, travel photographer

Yes, I suffer the fate of every freelance photographer - trying to balance work life (shooting assignments, stock, and charity gigs) with the fun life (stuff I really want to shoot, but never have the time to).

For almost 9 months now, a file has been simmering away on my hard drive. It's been whispering to me "Open me! Work on me!", but I've been ignoring it, opting to focus on the work life. Lately however, that file's call has been getting louder, and I've decided to harness a few minutes every day to work on and post its pictures.

They are from my trip to Europe last September. The old world is so rich on eyecandy, so overwhelming - that you come back, your visual cortex brimming and singing with imagery. It takes a while to digest them, and the same went for that file. But I think I'm ready now.

So here's the first of what I hope will be a daily installment of fresh images from that file:



Prater, Vienna - Funride, blurred. Handshot @ F 6.7, 1/4 sec.

Vienna is famous for many things. But one of the only ones you should go to at night is the Prater - that's when the one of the oldest amusement parks in the world really comes alive. With almost 150 rides and a huge Ferris Wheel, it's an exhilirating experience, both visual and tactile.

Labels: oregon stock photography, photography, travel, travel photographer

Just happened upon this random image today and thought I'd post it:


Statue of a couple embracing, Schoenbrunn Castle, Vienna, Austria

Notably in this image is how damaging the environmental effects of chafing rain, triggered by the immense industrial and vehicle exhaust in Europe, are to the ancient and delicate outdoor artwork sprinkled all over the Old World.

This marble statue must have been gleaming white only half a century ago. Now, the black streaks tell of poisened rain and upclose, one can see the brittle surface slowly eroding away.

What a shame.

Labels: oregon stock photography, photography, travel, travel photographer

To me, it's become a yearly ritual. A sort of pilgramage, almost.

The shrine is the snowy Start/Finish line of the Attaboy 300 World Sled Dog Championships and the deities are the slim, yet incredibly tough sled dogs.

Not that I'm a dog fanatic a la "Best in Show". Not at all.

But if you've ever seen those sled dogs run their little hearts out in the rough and cold landscape, pulling that sled and its rider (or "musher") relentlessly, over steep hills, plunging descents, and ice that cuts into their tender paws, you can't help but admire them. By the end of the day's 50-mile course they appear exhausted, with tongues hanging to the ground, their skinny chests heaving, licking their bloody paws, and patiently waiting for their bowl of fresh meat. They seem to love it. The pure joy, that wild sparkle in their eyes, tell the story better than any words ever could.

They were born to run. Watching them brings to life legends of old, of a yet unconquered West, tales of a still-remote wilderness that was only accessible by dog sled in winter. You can't help but think of Jack London, the Alaskan Yukon territory, and the Gold Rush.

These days however, the true gold are the dogs themselves. The 2004 Iditarod prize pool was $720,000, with the winner pocketing $70,000...

Labels: Bend Oregon photographer, oregon stock photography, photography, sports fitness photographer Bend Oregon

There are not too many places anymore you can see a wolf up close and personal.

A hike in Yellowstone National Park may provide you with a glimpse - if you're lucky. If you're a farmer in Western Idahoe, you might have had an encounter. Plus, a variety of cheesy game farms in Montana have them, so photographers can get closeup shots of the creatures without actually having to go track them down (boooo!).

And finally there are the rescue operations, many located in the Pacific Northwest, that take in injured or sick animals - providing them with a safe place to heal up, and ultimately releasing them back into the wild. For the few unfortunate souls who are not deemed fit to fend for themselves in the great wild anymore, these rehab centers essentially become comfy retirement homes. These animals sometimes also serve double-duty in breeding programs, but mostly, they are the attractions that supply the rehab centers with the necessary tourist dollars to continue their good work.

Ultimately, centers like Wolf Haven in Tenino, Washington, and Wildlife Images in Grants Pass, Oregon, serve as the last places for the general public to experience wolves and other wild creatures up close.

A couple of weeks ago I was in Southern Oregon, and a friend suggested we'd go to Wildlife Images. Seeing wolves, bears, cougars, bobcat, eagles and an assortment of other wild animals in their small caged areas, I was reminded more than anything else of all this wild splendor lost - of how we humans, in our infinitely deluded faith in being a supreme race, wipe everything that even remotely threathens us from the face of the planet. What we don't hunt to complete extinction, we shove into remote corners of the wilderness, giving it a half-ass chance to survive, but never a full chance to thrive.

Luckily, the wolf is making a comeback, and studies have been published, highlighting the negative impact the disapperance of the wolf from the eco-system has had.

So maybe instead of wasting your money this holiday season on some meaningless toy or other useless piece of material crap, consider instead giving the gift of true joy and life and adopt a wild animal from one of the rehab centers (Wildlife Images, Wolf Haven).

Or - you can buy a print of the one of the below wolf photographs (all taken at Wildlife Images), and Emerald Bay Photography will donate 100% of the sales price to the wildlife rescue organziation of your choice.








8 x 10 Prints are $45
11 x 14 Prints are $55
11 x 17 Prints are $65

All prints are unmatted and unmounted, prices do not include shipping.

Labels: oregon stock photography, photography

I have a love-hate relationship with snow.

Growing up in frosty, urban Switzerland, I was taught to fear the havoc snow (and its companions, slush and ice) can wreak upon the roads, the public transportation system, and the busy city life in general.

And while all those components are still very much a consideration, life in La Pine on the other hand is teaching me now that snow can also bring unexpected pleasures.

Such as the first moment in the morning after a nocturnal snow storm, when the sun rises and brings the cold white expanse alive with her golden light. When the thick virgin snow blanket glitters as if millions of lazy diamonds were strewn across its velvet coat. When the weight of the snow transforms the trees in your yard, the bushes in your driveway, the long grasses along my riverbank, into new and astonishing shapes and forms. When you step out of your house and you find a new world, so completely different from the one you left yesterday, and its beauty is overwhelming.







Yes, those are things I try to remember as I trudge through the slush ...

Labels: oregon stock photography, photography