Silhouettes in Nature /  by Todd Henson

I’m not certain if I’ve experimented with, or shown, photographic silhouettes before. Something prompted me to try it with these two photos, and so here you are, two examples of silhouettes in nature.

Caroline wren in silhouette

When I first photographed these birds I wasn’t thinking about creating silhouettes from them. I simply didn’t think enough about the exposure with these strongly backlit subjects, which resulted in a fair bit of underexposure. I suppose that’s what sparked the idea of silhouettes.

Song sparrow in silhouette

I increased the contrast in post, darkening the darks and lightening the lights. As simple as this is, I enjoyed it and I could see myself trying this again, either with photos already in my library or actively seeking to create these in the field.

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First Eastern Gartersnake of 2023 /  by Todd Henson

On April 2nd while hiking Seven Bends State Park in Virginia my father sighted our first Eastern gartersnake of the year. It was resting just off the trail on some leaves. He said he might not have seen it if we hadn’t been actively looking for Virginia bluebells and that while scanning the edge of the trail he noticed the coiled snake. He called me over and I created a couple photos.

The photo below was the first photo I created, looking down on the snake, trying to get something quickly in case the snake fled. This is nice in that it shows how the snake can blend into the scene. Look closely and you might notice at least a couple boxelder bugs.

First view of an Eastern gartersnake in 2023

Then I got down low to get closer to eye level with the snake. I love the added intimacy of these sorts of views. Getting low and close with a macro lens helps simplify the scene by blurring out the background, really focusing the viewers attention on the snake, and in particular the eye of the snake.

Eye to eye with an Eastern gartersnake

Unfortunately, shortly after I created the photo above the snake slithered away into the leaves. I always hate it when I scare away a subject, but as slow and quiet and respectful as I try to be, it does sometimes happen.

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Dutchman’s Breeches in Early Spring /  by Todd Henson

Hanging out the laundry

Scattered every so often amongst the Virginia bluebells I wrote about last week were these wonderful little Dutchman’s breeches, or britches, more formally known as Dicentra cucullaria. I’d hoped to find some close enough to the bluebells that I could include both in a photo, but that was not to be on this trip. Even so, I was pleased with what I walked away with, especially given the wind that day.

Dutchman’s breeches

Dutchman’s breeches in spring

I hope you enjoy these views of this delicate spring wildflower.

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