All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Free Outdoor Photography Class

Background, Year 5

I will be teaching a free Outdoor Photography class this Fall in the Duluth area at French River Lutheran Church on Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 8 pm (October 9th to November 13th … six sessions).

Class Description: Class will cover the basics of digital photography including the trade-offs between ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture. Students will learn how to optimize photographs based upon light conditions, desired effects, and time of day (i.e. daytime, sunrise & sunset golden hours and night). The course will also review basic camera equipment add-ons. Finally, basic post processing of images will be taught. Organization and storage of images will also be reviewed. Weather permitting, some classes may be outside.

Students should bring their camera to each class, and that camera should be capable of taking photographs in the “M” or “manual” mode. Students should bring their camera’s manual.

Snowy Owl Photographed early last December … Duluth area.

Boats and Birds!

Year 5,

It’s been a while since my last “Boats and Birds” post. However, last night while studying my marine shipping app I realized the Michipicoten (one of my favorite lakers) would be arriving just off the Superior entrance to the harbor shortly before sunrise. Thus, I got up at 5 am and drive to Wisconsin in time to walk the beach and welcome my favorite ore boat. These photographs resulted.

The birds portion of the post comes from our trip down to Madison this past weekend for a wedding. Sunday morning I wanted to go birding, but I did not know the area. In an instance like this I do two things:

  • Check eBird for nearby hotspots
  • Peruse Google Maps looking for green spaces

Google Maps provided the winning location when I realized that the University of Wisconsin Agricultural Research Station was only five minutes away by car. Ag means a farm, which at this time of year also means food for birds. There was a gorgeous garden and small apple orchard. The birds did not let me down.

House Finch eating apples

American Goldfinch eating sunflower seeds

And the gardens!

Unexpected Birding Pleasures

Year 5

After my birding hike yesterday morning out to the Superior Entry on Park Point, while driving home and passing the Duluth Rowing Club (DRC), I saw a bright orange rowing shell coming in to the dock. Mom! Yup!

A few years back I donated my single scull to the DRC as with all my cycling and photography it was not getting much use. Apparently the “Janet Hoeg” is well enjoyed, and has even seen some racing success. Well done, Mom!

In addition, here is a video of the White Pelicans from two days ago.