Now that I am into 2014, I am formulating my plans for taking my bird photography to the next level.  2013 yielded some good results but that was mainly the setup of a backyard birding test studio. This year I have plans to upgrade the bird studio and do some additional field work.  Below I am outlining how I will proceed.

UPGRADING THE BIRD STUDIO

In 2013, I had a single perch setup designed for the small species of birds commonly found around feeders.  There were plenty of Titmice, Sparrows and Finches.  Although I love these birds I want to expand into two separate perches this year to take advantage of several different types of birds.  

Large Woodpecker Perch 

Part of my experience in 2013 showed that we do have a fair population of woodpeckers and similar birds which feed on suet.  The perch will involve a larger vertical tree trunk supported on steel pole.  On one side, I will attach the suet feeder and drill holes for on the opposite side of the camera view to pack with peanut butter and seed.  I had some good luck with this approach in a test environment but my materials were a bit flimsy.

Building an Owl House

Largely this is an experiment, but hopefully I can attract some Screech or Barrow owls to nest.  Many time these houses are taken over by other critters such as squirrels but we do have a large rodent population here and good forest edge so I am hoping we may see some nesting.  Should this be successful I will attempt to do some remote photography of the owls.

Hummingbird Feeder Perch

In 2013 I was completely shocked by the population of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds we had.  I and my daughter could stand still out next to the feeder and the birds would swarm around us and feed.  They seemed very curious about who we were and were not intimidated at all.  Because of this success I am relocating the feeder to my outdoor studio and placing a small perch adjacent to it.

Adding a Bird Bath

There simply is not enough water on our property to adequately allow the birds to drink and bathe. In theory adding this will keep the birds closer and increase their visits to the perches.

Adding Squirrel Baffles

Although I love to watch the little critters, they are not helpful to bird photographers.  They are large and interfere with the birds feeding.  Although not completely squirrel proof, the baffles will help keep them at bay.

ADDITIONAL FIELD WORK

In 2013 I did very little field work.  I did travel to a local aviary and take some shots but really did not do any non-captive photography.  This year my main thrust is the capture photos of the various species of Heron.  These birds have a strong population in this area and so make a logical choice.  I may also venture out on some local Audubon Society walks but that is not a high priority.

EQUIPMENT UPGRADE

This is an area with which most photographers struggle.  For me, the choice is between upgrading the glass or getting a second body in a 1.6 crop factor.  

Camera Body Upgrade Option

My current camera body is a Canon 1D Mark II and frankly it is a great camera.  It does however have some limitations which hurt me in the area of bird photography. The first problem is that the sensor only provides an 8 Megapixel resolution and this resolution makes it difficult for cropping. I took several good photographs this year which ended up in the junk pile simply because cropping would be impossible.  The second issue with the 1D Mark II is that its sensor is really useless past ISO 400 and tends to mimic what film is capable of.  The noise is very pronounced and in the case of long exposures has some very bad hot spots. Finally, the body only has a 1.3 crop factor which can be limiting when used with shorter telephoto lenses.  If I upgrade to a 15 MP 1.6 crop body, it will turn my telephoto lenses into  much better birding lenses.  This is the cheapest way to improve the equipment.

Lens Upgrade Option

Currently I shoot a Canon 70-210 F4 and a Canon 100-300 5.6.  The 70-210 is actually quite a performer for a consumer grade lens.  The 100-300 was purchased primarily as a filler lens until I can afford something better.  At the 300 range, the lens is soft, even at F8, but sharpening does improve it quite a bit.  I am looking at upgrading to the 70-200L lens used for around $600.00.  This is twice as much as I would spend on the body upgrade in the used market.  Upgrading to this lens also gives me the option to add special Canon teleconverters to increase magnification without loss of quality.  The reality of it is that image quality is mostly from the lens.  Even with my 8MP camera, coupled with an "L" lens it will produce great photos. If I go this route, I am looking at probably 1,000 dollars after I buy the teleconverter.  Unlikely I will be able to swing this this year but who knows.  

CONCLUSION

Well that is pretty much it for this year in my bird watching and photography.  The upgrades to the outdoor studio start this weekend and I should be in a position to purchase new equipment within 6 months.  I am leaning toward the body upgrade because the pros of it outweigh the pros of the lens upgrade currently, but that may change.

The notion of the knights of the ancient European world is something that warms every ounce of the average westernized male.  We have visions of knights riding on beautiful steeds with large glistening swords at their sides as they fight dragons and save damsels.  There is nothing wrong with these images of knights as they help to solidify a sense of valor. There is an idea embodied here of fighting for a cause and saving humanity from the horrors of evil.

There is something else that belonged to these knights of old that seems to be largely forgotten.  They had a great deal of faith in God.  Make no mistakes, this God was not Buddha, Ganesha, Allah or the Great Spirit.  This was the God of the Christian and the Jew.  His compound name is El Elohim or Yahweh (the unpronounceable name).  The name was considered so sacred that no one was allowed to pronounce it and to this day no one even remembers how it was pronounced.  This is the God the knights worshiped.  The God who freed the Jew and the Gentile.

We can argue about the Crusades which followed later in the knights evolution as not being of God and there is certainly enough blame to be cast there but I would like to suggest that we take the best of the knights of old and make them our own.  I would like us to start a new era of morality based on the knights inner code of Christianity. This is what drove them to fight for those who could not fight.  To be the savior of the peasant and the king.

I want us to cast off immoral thoughts, pornography, adultery, lying, jealously and hatred.  I today, make this vow that I will do everything within the power of God and the power he has given me to never partake in these behaviors.  I vow to not drink alcohol or use profane language.  You are my God and I will be your knight and servant.  I will bring my sword of scripture to bear on your enemy Satan and his followers.  I will share my faith with others and make a difference for you.  I will exercise my mind an my body to be stronger. I will be a better father and husband.  You El Elohim are my God and there is none to compare!  I will worship you and cast off the sin around me every day.

I trust and hope that everyone who reads this will do the same. Join me in taking back the western culture for Christ, the Son of the Most High God!

It was a crisp, fall morning and my brother Rick, Mom, Gram and Gramp were off to pick some apples at the local orchard.  This had become quite a tradition for the family every fall.  We would often pick several bushels which would eventually turn into apple pies, apple sauce and apple grunt.  This morning was different from other apple picking ventures, because in the open trunk of our car, in a basket sat a new puppy.  A Brittany Spaniel (now called a Brittany) my brother had named Brandy because of her orange colored spots and ticking.  This brit was unhappy at recently being taken from the company of her  mother's warm protection and was letting us know by yelping at the top of her lungs.  Needless to say my brother and I took turns trying to comfort the poor dog but on she yelped.

We didn't know it then, but that morning would start a relationship that would change our lives in many ways.  Rick spent hour after hour training this dog to sit and lay down and retrieve birds.  Brandy loved feathers naturally and would immediately get excited whenever a pheasant tail was presented for play.  There was something happening here that I don't know if any of us intended.  Day by day this dog became less of Rick's hunting dog and more like the Cuda family dog.  Day after day this dog played with socks, feathers and swam in our pool with us.  She had a look of complete intelligence I have never seen on a dog and don't know if I ever will again.

Did she hunt you may ask?  I think she did go on a hunt or two but never went on many.  She was too involved in being a pampered family dog to dream about hunting.  She had it made.  All she had to do was flash those eyes and she melted our hearts.  She was the type of dog who would sit at your feet and respect you.  She was not prone to growling or biting and was always happy to see Dad or Rick come home. By the hour she would sit at the front window waiting for any sign of them.  She would only take time to eat and play a bit and back she was at her post.   She died of diabetes many many years ago but her memory lives on in each of us.

I thought I would just write down these thoughts as I think back on our childhood pets.  All I can say in conclusion is there will never be another dog like Brandy. She was the true embodiment of the notion of "mans best friend."

As I look out the window, I can see how the leaves are mostly fallen from the trees and I know that the best of the 2013 landscapes and outdoor photography are behind me.  Although North Carolina does offer the occasional snow, it is really not something the average photographer here can look forward too.  This year I spent a great deal of time hiking the mountains of North Carolina and enjoyed every minute of it.  Yes, even the day it poured rain on me.   So I guess today is a good day to show my top photos of the 2013 season.

Coming in at number one is "T-6 at Sunrise."  I really enjoyed shooting on this early Friday morning back in September at the Smith-Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, NC.  I enjoy this photo because it was the photo that almost wasn't.  The morning was rather dark and dreary and only one pilot had shown up to uncover his T-6 and hang around for interviews.  About 30 minutes before I was about to leave, the sky opened up and lit the aircraft perfectly. As a side note this appears to also be the "people's choice" on my Flickr account.

T-6 Sunrise - T-6 Texan at the Smith-Reynolds Airport - © 2013 Matt Cuda

Next at number two is "Moravian Falls." This is one of those locations that has been photographed many many times, but I believe I managed to capture the falls in a more unique way.  I arrived very early on this summer morning just as the sun rose. The lighting in this little cove was so soft and calming that it seemed like every shot spoke to me.  I chose this one as the final shot from the day as it emphasizes the cascading creek in the foreground, tapering back to the actual falls before your eyes leave the photo.  This shot was featured as a winner in a KEH photo contest and won best in show at the Stokes County Fair.

Moravian Falls - © 2013 Matt Cuda

Number three is "F-86."  I like this image first because it is an iconic aircraft from the 1950s.  It was made famous shooting down Soviet made aircraft during the Korean War over "Mig Alley".  Beyond that the aircraft is interesting in that it is in a nice knife edge set against the contrast of the clouds and blue sky.

F-86 Sabre - © 2013 Matt Cuda

Next at number four is "Titmouse."  Although the name is very odd, I find the Tufted Titmouse a very inquisitive and spirited bird.  This image seems more striking than others I have taken of the Titmouse because first, it shows the bird perching on a vertical surface, and secondly it has a spider web spread across its head. The spider web shows just how much this bird forages through underbrush to find other food sources such as insects and spiders.  The photo is not technically perfect but I really enjoy it from a journalistic perspective.

Titmouse -  © 2013 Matt Cuda

At five is another waterfall that seems to keep grabbing my attention. Maybe I am a sucker for fall color or maybe I just like the serenity of cascading water.  From a technical perspective, I do like the rushing water in the foreground and the strong yellow color of fall contrasting against the soft lighting on the falls.  This photo was featured as a KEH photo of the month for October 2013.

Triple Falls - © 2013 Matt Cuda

Water was certainly a big theme this year.  At number six is a stunning falls I found in the South Mountains of North Carolina called High Shoals Falls. Photographs cannot do this falls justice in scale and beauty. Surrounded by beautiful boulders and awesome greenery, it is a symbol of total relaxation. Forget about the horrors of life because here you enter the presence of one of God's best paintings.

High Shoals Falls - © 2013 Matt Cuda

There were several others I would like to put out here but I guess I should just end it here.  What a great year of photography.  I can't remember having this much fun with photography since I was back in college.  Special thanks to my friend Buck, who went out shooting with me a couple times this year.  Also thanks to my brother Rick and his son Thomas for some good photo ops in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. I really enjoyed it.  God's creation has been a special theme in my photography and he doesn't disappoint me with his never ending canvas of color we call nature.  It is so easy to forget just how stunning our God's artwork really is.  See how intricately the feathers of the bird are woven together. This is not only so it can stay warm and fly but so it can show God's artistic side.  The raw power of water as it drops 60 feet into a dark pool, surrounded by giant boulders. Contrast that scene of rugged beauty against the soft sounds of a babbling mountain brook.  We can never accomplish this kind of art.  All we can do is capture it on canvas or film or some other medium and hope that somehow it can be done a fraction of the justice the real scene deserves.

Recently, while on a tight budget, I purchased the Vivitar 19-35mm AF lens for my Canon EOS 1D Mark II camera body.  Mainly I wanted a lens in the ultra wide category for tight scenics and this lens fit the bill. I bought the lens from auction on ebay for about $50.00 in like new condition. It came with the original box, a lens hood and lens cap.

Lens Build
The build of the lens is consistent with most of the affordable lenses in this category.  It made entirely from plastic but does have a metal mount.  Like most Vivitar products it was created by other manufacturers and marketed under the name Vivitar.  The plastic lens hood that comes with it is acceptable but you may wish to purchase something a little bit better to cut down on flare. It also sports a 77mm filter diameter which can be costly when compared to the price of the lens.

Autofocus
First, I need to say that the autofocus works quite quickly except for some minor connectivity issues causing the autofocus to not engage properly.  To overcome this I had to really snug the lens down one more time after it clicked into place.  The focus speed of the lens was as quick as any of my Canon lenses so I feel like it is a non-issue.  I have heard other complain about a noisy focus with this lens but I was satisfied with the noise from the motor. Perhaps they are comparing the noise to the "L" quality lenses which is really just silly.

In the Field
After purchasing the lens, I took it out for two days of shooting waterfalls in western NC.

My first test was to shoot Looking Glass Falls located in the Pisgah National Forest.  I have photographed this falls in the past so I thought it would make a good test subject.  After shooting the falls from several angles I returned back to the cabin for post process and a good look at the results. I found the color to be warm which is ideal for this type of shooting.  The edges look like they lose resolution slightly but it was an adequate performer.  Below is the most straight forward shot of the falls.

Looking Glass Falls - Canon EOS 1D Mark II,  Vivitar19-35mm AF (At 19mm), 4 seconds, ISO 50

Next, I took the camera to Pearson Falls in Saluda, NC.  The lens performed quite well, but it has its own unique style compared to Canon lenses.  It has good contrast and a nice warm color to it.  This may not work for you if you prefer a cooler temperature. Especially if you shoot film and do not have control over white balance.  Sharpness was better than adequate and was quite close to my 22-55mm Canon kit lens.  Below is the image taken near Pearson Falls...

Pearson Cascade - Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Vivitar 19-35mm AF (at 19mm),  F22, 8 seconds, ISO 50

Conclusion

If you are on a budget, which most of us are, this is a fairly good performer and will not disappoint the average weekender out there.  A professional might need a little more resolving power but then again, I assume if you make money from your photography you wouldn't be looking at an inexpensive lens.  By the way, I don't believe in looking at charts of lens tests to figure out which lenses to buy. The best way to decide if you like the lens is rent it or buy it and give it a try.  If it works for what you want it for then do not feel like you need to go higher in price on a lens. I doubt I will keep this lens forever but for now it fills a need in a poor economy.

I had an opportunity to do a little photography in upstate PA and NY recently and thought I would just share a couple images for you.  First I visited the Wellsboro area where I spent a great deal of my early life growing up.  There are many opportunities for photographs in this area especially during the fall peak color, but this day I found myself, my brother and his son walking down the Turkey Path located at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  This canyon is really just a simple gorge that winds threw a few mountains, but none the less it is a beautiful attraction and well worth the visit.  At the bottom of the canyon there is a small river called Pine Creek where as a child I spent many hours trying to catch trout and Small Mouth Bass with my grandfather. I rarely caught any fish, but my grandfather could catch fish even on the worst of days.

About a half mile down the Harrison Park Turkey Path there is a creek running along the trail called Four Mile Creek.  Since this creek is running off the side of the mountain it creates a series of cascading waterfalls surrounded by moss covered rocks. Eventually Four Mile runs all the way down the mountain and empties into Pine Creek.  Although the water flow was a bit low, I did manage to grab a few shots.  What I really like about the shot below is the extreme green caused by the rich soil and large amount of rainfall earlier in the summer.  The cascading water provides a serene scene.  Sorry the resolution is kind of poor here.

Four Mile Creek Falls, Pennsylvania Grand Canyon - © Matt Cuda 2013

Next, Rick, Thomas and I headed up to a park where I had never visited.  The park is called Letchworth State Park and it is no doubt on my top ten list of places to go back and visit for fall color.  The park, is located in the north western region of New York state and is known for a large gorge winding its way through many miles of the park.  At the base of the gorge runs the beautiful Genesee River.  I have to admit when we saw this gorge we all were in total amazement at the shear raw beauty laid out before us.  The gorge is highlighted by three large waterfalls called upper, middle and lower falls. If you enjoy viewing powerful falls then this is the place for you.  All three of these falls are utterly amazing.  My only complaint at this park is that we were not allowed access to the creek river bed.  I have to admit this doesn't surprise me as New York has always been the land of silly and useless laws.  Below is a shot of middle falls looking down the gorge.  This park appears to have been designed for upper middle class to higher class individuals and there are many amenities here to prove that.  It is not often that one can find ice cream stands, inns and museums in the rugged mountains.  There is also a fairly modest 8.00 per car price tag for entry into the park, but considering NY citizens are footing the bill for the park, I thought any charge is kind of sad really.

Middle Falls, Letchworth State Park - © Matt Cuda 2013

Upper Falls along the Genesee River - © Matt Cuda 2013

In conclusion, if you enjoy nature, then don't miss either of these parks.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  To view these images in better resolution, and see other park images,  feel free to visit my flicker site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/44128780@N08/

When telling people I was going to head down to South Mountains State Park, I got a strange look as if they had never heard of such a place.  It is true that although it is common to hear others talk about places like Grandfather Mountain and Linville Falls, I never hear anything about South Mountains State Park.  This is really a shame since this park has so much to offer to those who love the outdoors.

First, the park has many miles of great trout fishing streams containing predominately Brook Trout and Browns but I am told there are also Rainbows there as well.  These creeks are full of large boulders, rippling cascades and lined with many different species of trees.

One of many beautiful locations along the trail at South Mountain State Park
Photo by Matt Cuda (c) 2013

Next, if you enjoy horseback riding there are wide trails cut through the woods to accommodate horses.  The way these trails have been created seem to make it easy  for any skill of rider.  There is a dedicated parking area for horse trailers and easy trail access for them.

For the hiker, there are endless options in this park.  I counted 19 trails total and I am sure there are others which are not part of the official list of trails. The length of the trails run from .5 to 5.2 miles and have various difficulty ratings.  Raven rock trail seems to be the most difficult as it zigzags through several switchbacks up the mountain.  If you only have time for one trail, I recommend you head up the High Shoals Falls Loop.  This is a somewhat difficult trail which takes you to the awe inspiring High Shoals Falls.  The view is well worth the hike.

High Shoals Falls
Photo by Matt Cuda (c) 2013

In conclusion, I cannot find anything that needs improvement in this facility.  It is one of the best I have seen in North Carolina and would take many visits to discover all it has to offer.  My best advice is to stop by the park office and ask them the best parking areas and what is good during the time of year you are visiting.  Otherwise you might end up taking a trail that takes you away from the sites you wanted to see and leaves you exhausted.

A cascade near the bottom of High Shoals Falls.
Photo by Matt Cuda (c) 2013