Category Archives: marine life

Finding scale in New Zealand

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

So often when taking photographs, we see something amazing, raise our cameras, take the shot, and walk away very pleased with ourselves. Until we get home and review our pictures. We were so impressed with how much larger or smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, How To, How To, marine life, nature photography, New Zealand, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The North American River Otter: An extensive essay in photos

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

This post celebrates the North American River Otter. While somewhat misnamed (they are found on lakes, ponds, rivers, open ocean, in swamps, bogs, marshes, wetlands, and more. They are one of the more common mammals that I come across while … Continue reading →

Posted in kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, otters, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Manta Ray Night Dive: An Essay in Photos

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Darkness beckons on all sides, but I hardly noticed as I stared into a small sea of light. I was afloat on the ocean’s surface, gently bobbing in the swell. An endless teaming column of thousands upon thousands of fish … Continue reading →

Posted in marine life, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, underwater | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Anatomy of a photo (series): #44 Octopus event on Tomales Bay (the days before Hawktopus)

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

The other day I was speaking with someone that had seen my Hawktopus post (the Red-tailed Hawk that I was able to photograph as it flew with an octopus) and while they were very enthusiastic about it, they chided me once they … Continue reading →

Posted in How To, kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a photo #43: Fallen Star a.k.a. Simpsons Cartoon Hands

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Paddling along Tomales Bay in my kayak one day, at a very low tide, I came across a star fish whose own weight had peeled it off of the rocks. I was enthralled by the various textures and shapes, the … Continue reading →

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Anatomy of a photo (series) # 38: Hawktopus

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

It was the middle of winter, less than two weeks past solstice, and there were rumors of whales in Tomales Bay. It was hard for me to put my kayak in the water before 4:30pm that week, but one day … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, birds, documentary, kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Anatomy of a photo #35: Elephant Seal and Scientists

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Wide angle lenses exaggerate the distance between between two objects, while long lenses and telephoto lenses can actually compress the appearance of the physical distances between objects. Notice the size of the elephant seals head, relative to the size of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, documentary, elephant seals, How To, How to, marine life, photography, portraits, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Anatomy of a photo #34: Trio of otters

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Some of my favorite animals to watch and photograph in the wild are the North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis). Part of what makes them fun, is what a social creature they are, often intertwining and climbing over one another, … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, otters, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a photo #31: Pelican on a foggy day

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

Oh how I love the Pelican! The way its beak can hold more than its belly can One of my favorite birds. I have many photographs of pelicans, and will likely be visiting several different images of them over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, birds, California, marine life, nature photography, photography, portraits, SLR, weather, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disclosing where photographs were taken

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

There are times when I am loath to announce where I have taken a photograph. Some of the reasons are ethical, some a sense of preservation, and some… a little more selfish. Wildlife I won’t disclose the location of bird … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, ethics, How To, landscapes, Location, marine life, nature photography, photography, ruminating, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a photo #29: Young Raccoon feeding on the Bay

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

It often makes wildlife pictures interesting if you can capture them in natural behavior, not just sitting there. If you capture them while grooming or feeding, it adds a little action and a hint into their daily lives. I often … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, kayak photography, marine life, National Park, nature photography, photography, portraits, SLR, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Anatomy of a Photo #26: The Sea Lion Snarls

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

This is another image, showing the rewards of kayak photography. I must say though, this was one of the few times I have been nervous while kayaking near wildlife. It wasn’t the teeth so much, as the proximity of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, How to, kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment