DeBardeleben Photography

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  • A Flash of Blue, A Flash of Red in the Zen Garden: Spring’s Joyful Messengers

    A Flash of Blue, A Flash of Red in the Zen Garden: Spring’s Joyful Messengers

    Spring has sprung in the Zen Garden, and with it, a new wave of delightful visitors: the bluebirds.
    These feathered jewels have graced our peaceful space with their vibrant presence, and their arrival carries more than just a touch of beauty.

    Across cultures and through the ages, the bluebird has held a significant spiritual meaning.
    In folklore and mythology, it embodies happiness, good luck, and spreading joy.
    It’s a fitting symbol for spring, a season of renewal and fresh beginnings.

     

    For us, as photographers, the arrival of these little blue bundles of happiness is a source of immense inspiration.
    We are captivated by their vibrant plumage, their melodic songs, and the sense of peace they bring to the Zen Garden.
    Capturing their fleeting moments on camera is a privilege and a joy.

     

    As spring unfolds, we welcome the diverse fauna that graces our garden, both those who reside here year-round and those who are simply passing through.
    They each contribute to the vibrant tapestry of life surrounding us, reminding us of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

     

     

     

    So, the next time you see a flash of blue flitting through the spring air, take a moment to appreciate the symbolism and the joy that the bluebird carries.
    It’s a reminder that even amid our busy lives, there’s always space for a little happiness.

     

  • Mating Season (part two)

    Mating Season (part two)

    Bobcats breed from February through March.
    They are polygamous and do not form lasting pair bonds.
    The young are born after a 62-day gestation period in April or May.
    Females produce one litter each year consisting of 1–4 kittens, with an average litter size of 2.
    The female is the exclusive provider and the male does not participate in raising the young.
    At birth, the kittens are blind and helpless but have a thick spotted fur coat.

    The kittens are born in a den lined with dried grass, leaves, moss, and other soft vegetation that the female scrapes into the den.
    Dens are in rock crevices, under rocky ledges, in caves, brush piles, or in hollow trees, stumps, or logs.
    Females may use the same den sites for several years in a row. The female nurses the kittens until they reach two months of age.
    At one month, the young begin taking solid food and venturing from the den.
    The young remain with the adult female until they are fully grown, usually through their first fall or winter.
    Females reach sexual maturity at one year, although they do not typically produce their first litter until two years of age.
    Males do not reach sexual maturity until two years of age.
    Bobcats live an average of twelve years in the wild, and females produce one litter per year until death.
    Although some young fall prey to owls, coyotes, and adult male bobcats, food abundance is the primary factor affecting the survival of both kittens and juvenile bobcats.
    Bobcats are an important natural resource in Massachusetts.

  • It’s Breeding Season (part one)

    It’s Breeding Season (part one)

    Late January through early March is coyote mating season. Coyotes are very active during the winter while courting mates and defending their territory. Coyotes are in every city and town in mainland Massachusetts, meaning the opportunity for human-coyote interaction is high. The mere presence of a coyote is not a cause for concern. MassWildlife officials are reminding the public to take these 3 simple steps to prevent conflict with coyotes during the mating season: 

    1. Protect your pets

    • Pets should always be directly supervised on a leash when outdoors, especially during the coyote mating season. 
    • Coyotes can’t differentiate between their natural prey and small pets, so they will view unprotected outdoor cats and small dogs as a potential food source.   
    • Coyotes can’t distinguish your dog from an intruding coyote, causing the coyote to be more aggressive toward medium- and large-sized dogs as they will view them as potential competition for mates and territory.  
    • Do not supervise your pet from a distance on your porch or at your backdoor. Most coyote attacks involve dogs that are unsupervised or being supervised from a distance in a backyard.  
  • Nature’s Symphony Through the Lens

    Nature’s Symphony Through the Lens

    Unleashing the Beauty and Urgency of Our Planet

    As a photographer, I’m not just capturing images, I’m amplifying the symphony of nature.
    Every click of the shutter is a note in a breathtaking melody, composed by the rustling leaves, the gurgling streams, and the symphony of life that unfolds around us.

    But this melody is under threat.
    The very landscapes that ignite my passion – the towering redwoods, the snow-capped mountains, the teeming coral reefs – are facing unprecedented challenges.
    Climate change, habitat loss, and human encroachment are jeopardizing the delicate balance of our planet, silencing the voices of countless species.

    That’s why my photography isn’t just art; it’s a call to action.
    Through my lens, I want to showcase the breathtaking beauty of the natural world, but also its fragility.
    I want to inspire others to see the magic in a spiderweb glistening with morning dew, the power in a bald eagle soaring through the sky, and the quiet resilience of a wildflower pushing through the cracks of concrete.

    My goal is to use my platform to advocate for conservation.
    I want to raise awareness about the threats our planet faces and empower others to become stewards of the environment.
    Whether it’s reducing our carbon footprint, supporting sustainable practices, or simply getting outside and appreciating nature’s wonders, every action counts.

    I believe that together, we can create a future where the symphony of nature not only survives but thrives.
    So let’s grab our cameras, lace up our hiking boots, and let’s raise our voices for the wild.
    Let’s capture the beauty, share the stories, and inspire action.

    Every photograph, every shared story, and every connection with nature is a powerful note in the chorus for our planet.

    Join me in this mission!
    Share your nature photos, support conservation organizations, and spread the word about the importance of protecting our planet.
    Together, we can ensure that the symphony of nature continues to play on, for generations to come.

    #naturephotography #conservation #wildlife #savetheplanet #earthday #climateaction #protectourplanet #getoutside #loveyourplanet #nanpapix #sonyalpha

  • A Leap Forward: Upgrading to the Sony a7R IV After 6 Years with the a7R II

    A Leap Forward: Upgrading to the Sony a7R IV After 6 Years with the a7R II

    As technology evolves, so does the pursuit of capturing moments in the highest possible quality.
    After six fruitful years with the Sony a7R II, the time has come to bid farewell and embrace the future of photography with the Sony a7R IV.
    This transition wasn’t without its considerations, especially when faced with the choice between Sony and Nikon, both stalwarts in the world of digital imaging.
    With a substantial investment in lenses and gear for both platforms, the decision-making process became a careful balancing act between loyalty and the desire for cutting-edge technology.

    The Journey with Sony a7R II:
    For half a dozen years, the Sony a7R II has been our faithful companion, witnessing and capturing countless memories.
    Its groundbreaking features, including a high-resolution sensor, exceptional low-light performance, and 4K video capabilities, made it a reliable workhorse in various shooting conditions. However, as demands evolved and the industry progressed, it became evident that an upgrade was necessary to meet the growing requirements of our craft.

    The choice between Sony and Nikon was a formidable one.
    Both brands boast remarkable advancements in imaging technology, leaving us with the difficult task of weighing the benefits of familiarity against the allure of innovation.

    In the end, the scales tipped in favor of Sony, leading us to the Sony a7R IV.
    This powerhouse of a camera combines cutting-edge technology with the familiarity of the Alpha series, providing an upgraded sensor, and improved autofocus capabilities.
    The decision wasn’t just about upgrading; it was about ensuring that our equipment could keep pace with the ever-changing demands of the photographic landscape.

    Key Features that Tipped the Scale:

    High-Resolution Sensor:
    The Sony a7R IV’s 61-megapixel sensor offers an unprecedented level of detail, allowing for larger prints and more flexibility in post-processing.

    Enhanced Autofocus:
    With 567 phase-detection autofocus points and real-time eye autofocus, the a7R IV ensures that every shot is sharp and focused, even in challenging conditions.
    While the a7r iv has much-improved video capability, this is the feature I care about the least as I don’t shoot video.

    As we bid adieu to the Sony a7R II, we eagerly anticipate the creative possibilities that the Sony a7R IV will unlock.
    The decision to upgrade goes beyond acquiring a new piece of equipment; it’s a commitment to staying at the forefront of photographic innovation.
    In a world where every frame tells a story, the Sony a7R IV is poised to be the next chapter in our photographic journey—a chapter defined by unrivaled image quality, advanced technology, and the enduring pursuit of capturing moments that last a lifetime.

  • Waiting for December

    Waiting for December

    So here in Massachusetts, the bear activity grinds to a near halt in December as the bears settle into their dens and drift off into a state called torpor.
    While torpor is similar to hibernation, it’s not the same.
    Once the Bears settle down we’ll resume our feeder activity and hopefully get more great shots of our Winter set of birds.

    I want to give a big shout-out to the folks at B&H Photo Video for saving the day and quickly getting us set with a new Sony A7r IV.
    If you want great service with fast turnaround, this is the place to go.

    While we wait for December to put the bears to sleep, we’ll be posting images taken outside of the Garden Studio.
    We look forward to bringing new images and have plans for a calendar and some other photo-centric merchandise.

    Stay tuned 🙂  

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