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NatureScapes.net Monthly Newsletter - August 2012

White Rhinos by Piper MacKay

Two white rhinos, in a large group grazing in the Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary that is helping to protect this highly endangered species. They can gather in groups of about twelve. A mother gives birth only every two and a half to five years and the calf will not live on its own until it is about three years old.

Equipment Used: F 7.1, 1/800, 500mm, 1D MarkII.

 
  Table of Contents - August 2012  
August cover image, editorial feature, and workshop spotlight on Piper MacKay Featured articles on owl and bird photography The latest NSN workshop updates for 2012 & 2013 STORE COUPON
SAVE $20 on orders $149 or more! Plus new products.
  Behind the Lens with Piper MacKay  
  Piper MacKay A Love Affair With Africa: Piper MacKay Reflects on her Magical Place
by Kari Post

Sometimes, a single experience changes one's life forever. That may certainly be the case for Piper MacKay, a celebrated wildlife, travel, and culture photographer whose work focuses on the African continent.

Piper's journey to becoming one of Africa's premiere photographers began on a Sierra Club safari in 2004. Led by a woman who, in her youth, had been a nurse working in Africa, the group ventured beyond a typical safari, visiting tribes, schools, and women's groups, in addition to observing Africa's incredible wildlife by vehicle. Continue reading »

 
  The Best of Kenya, Africa with Piper MacKay - NEW for 2013! Learn more and see itinerary »  
  Copyright Piper MacKay  
  What People Are Saying:  
  Being in Amboseli National Park, Kenya with Piper Mackay was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. She knows the area, the behavior of the animals and is a pro at directing the driver to get in position for that perfect head-on shot. I came home with priceless images and memories!”
–Laurie Rubin, Nik Software
 
  I have traveled all over the world doing photo workshops and I have been with some of the very best and well known professional photographers. I have to say Piper provided an outstanding trip. Her attention to detail was I believe noticed and appreciated by everyone. I would love to travel with her again and hopefully soon.” –Vaughn Hart  
  Featured Articles  
  Copyright Joris van Alphen Shedding Light on the Life of Owls
by Joris van Alphen

"Photographs really are experience captured," wrote Susan Sontag in her famous essay On Photography. Photography can be a witness to the events in our lives, immortalizing our own experiences. But, to me, its biggest virtue is that it can also open new worlds to our eyes. Some animals live lives so foreign to us that the only way we can experience their way of living is through photography. Last year I embarked on a personal project to shed light on the life of owls.
Continue reading »

 
  Copyright Matthew Studebaker Bird Photography Basics: A Focus on Sharper Images
by Matthew Studebaker

Discerning bird photographers want their images to be of the highest quality possible, and this usually means they are striving for tack sharp details in their subject. Accurate focus and appropriate shutter speeds are essential for getting sharp… Continue reading »

 
  Workshop Updates  
  What's going on this month?  
  St. Paul Island and Lake Clark Alaska; Northeast Arizona St. Paul Island, Alaska

Our own Greg Downing and Alan Murphy, along with 10 other intrepid photographers, are headed on a photographic adventure to the tiny island of St. Paul, Alaska this week. Their workshop is timed for the peak of Puffin and seabird action. At just 43 square miles St. Paul is the largest of the Alaskan Pribilof chain, a group of five volcanic islands located in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. St Paul is the breeding grounds for literally millions of sea birds including two species of Puffins and 4 species of Auklet. More than 500,000 Northern Fur Seals and a healthy population of Arctic Foxes (blue phase) and even a large herd of Reindeer also share the island.

Lake Clark, Alaska

Following a day of rest in Anchorage Greg Downing will then head to Lake Clark National Park to lead a group of photographers at one of the most reliable and productive locations on the planet to photograph Coastal Brown Bears. Each day Greg and his group should have amazing opportunities to capture bears salmon fishing, raising new cubs and interacting with each other as they go about their lives in close proximity to our base lodge.

Northeast Arizona

Later in the month E.J. Peiker will be leading an incredible photographic excursion to some of the best, and even iconic, locations in NE Arizona. Visiting and photographing Arizona's world famous Navajo Country, Monument Valley, Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon's North Rim, during this workshop E.J. and his group will explore the incredible red rock formations of the mystical Monument Valley deep within the Navajo Nation. Not only will they get to photograph some of the well known spots but their experienced Navajo guide, who is also a photographer, will lead them to shooting locations that one is permitted to go to on their own.

 
  These workshops will be offered again in 2013 Each of the above workshops is full for 2012 but if you're interested in signing up for next year we will be offering each of them again. The Coastal Brown Bears workshop is already open for registration (half full!) and St. Paul Island and Northeast Arizona will be available for registrations in the early fall. If you would like to reserve a spot early please contact Erin Masters at [email protected].  
Other upcoming workshops this fall and winter:
See all workshops and stay up to date with new ones as they are announced!
  Copyright Greg Downing Hummingbirds and More! Ecuador »
Oct. 24–Nov. 2, 2012
SOLD OUT
  Copyright Greg Downing Bosque del Apache Socorro, NM »
Nov./Dec. 2012
A few openings
  Copyright E.J. Peiker Arizona DuckShop™ Phoenix, AZ »
Dec. 2012/Jan. 2013
A few openings
  Copyright Greg Downing Tropical Birds & More Costa Rica »
Jan. 19–29, 2013
SOLD OUT

Jan. 30–Feb. 9, 2013
3 openings left!
  Copyright E.J. Peiker Southern California DuckShop™ »
Feb. 2013
A few openings
 
  We now offer every day free ground shipping! Plus, this weekend only save $20 on all orders $149 and up! Use code AUGUST - expires Monday, August 6, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.  
  Hoodman Hoodman RAW
UDMA USB3.0 Reader

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Guy Tal Creative B&W Processing Techniques eBook by Guy Tal
$9.95
Think Tank Photo Think Tank Photo
Airport 4-Sight

$299.75
 
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