June 27, 2012
- Nature Photography
- Family Fun
- Upcoming DEC Events
- Long Island
- Hudson Valley - Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Centers
- Capital District - Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
- Western New York - Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Nature Photography
Nature photography is a popular pasttime in New York. There is plenty of diverse wildlife throughout the state, along with a wide variety of landscapes. Here are some tips for photographing nature.
Landscape Photographs
-Be sure to include objects in the foreground as well as the middle and background. For example, if photographing a bridge, include some of the shoreline and nearby trees.
-Avoid centering the subject. Instead, use the rule of thirds, and imagine your picture as a grid. The main focus of the picture should be slightly off to the side of the grid, top or bottom.
-Photograph in all weather conditions, even when it is snowing.
-Remember to look up; take a picture from the bottom of a tree looking up through its branches.
-Try photographing reflections, which can result in a calming/relaxing image.
Wildlife Photographs
-Get down on the level of your subject, and shoot the picture from the side, not from the front.
-Be patient, still and quiet. Wait for the right moment.
-Put up bird feeders near your home to photograph birds and even squirrels.
-Look for wildlife in parks and at public wild centers.
-Consider even the smallest subjects, such as a tree bud or a single snowflake.
General Tips
-Take pictures from different angles. For example, try lying on the ground.
-Keep it simple. Don't clutter the image.
-Always note where the light is coming from, and avoid shooting directly into the sun.
-Use the flash to get rid of shadows.
-Take both horizontal and vertical images of the same shot.
More wildlife photography tips and examples can be found on the DEC TV and Watchable Wildlife pages on DEC's website.
Send us an e-mail and tell us what you think about Outdoor Discovery.
Subscribe to Conservationist magazine-New York's award-winning publication with astonishingly beautiful photography and captivating articles.
Learn the best places to view wildlife at DEC's Watchable Wildlife pages.
Family Fun
Picture Scavenger Hunt
Take your camera outside on a picture scavenger hunt to shoot photos of things that you wouldn't normally photograph:
-Birds at a birdfeeder
-Squirrels in a tree
-Animal tracks
-Sunrise or sunset
-A waterfall, lake or stream
-A leaf or flower on a bush or tree branch
-An ordinary object taken from a different perspective
In addition, take some pictures around your yard, and have another person guess where they were taken. E-mail your best photo to Conservationist for Kids.
Read Conservationist for Kids for more information and activities!
Upcoming DEC Events
Long Island
Lakeside Fishing Clinic
Wednesday, July 11 from 6:00 PM to sunset
Lake Ronkonkoma County Park - Town of Brookhaven Beach
Geared to families, basic instruction focuses on fish identification, techniques, regulations and stewardship practices. Open fishing to follow. Call I FISH NY staff at 631-444-0283 to register.
Hudson Valley
Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Programs at Stony Kill are now offered by the Stony Kill Foundation; there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Open Barn Tour
Saturdays and Sundays, June 30, July 1, 7 and 8 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Capital Region
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Animal Intelligence
Saturday, June 30 at 10:00 AM
Family Fun: Spiders for Kids
Saturday, June 30 at 2:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other. This program is free of charge, but space is limited. Call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register by Wednesday, June 27.
Herons and Their Kin
Saturday, July 7 at 10:00 AM
Citizen Science: Annual Butterfly Census
Saturday, July 7 at 2:00 PM
Parents and children must accompany each other. This program is free of charge, but space is limited. Call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 to register by Tuesday, July 3.
Citizen Science: Bat Count
Tuesday, July 10 at 7:30 PM
Call Five Rivers at 518-475-0291 for more information.
Event Descriptions at Five Rivers
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Insect Investigation
Thursday, June 28 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Call 518-456-0655, or go the Albany Pine Bush website to register. Cost: $3.00/person, $5.00/family, children under 5 free
More events at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center
Central New York
Rogers Environmental Education Center
Programs at Rogers are now offered by the Friends of Rogers; there are no DEC education staff at the site due to fiscal constraints.
Full Moon Member Night
Tuesday, July 3 at 8:00 PM
For all members and those interested in becoming members! Join us as we take a night hike at the Rogers Center. Please meet us in the MAIN parking lot.
Evening Bird Watch
Wednesday July 11 at 6:00 PM
Meet members of the Chenango Bird Club in the Rogers visitor parking lot for a guided hike.
Western New York
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
Advance registration is required. Call 716-683-5959.
After-School Escape
Thursday, June 28 at 4:30 PM
Enjoy a one-hour program for kids featuring a different, fun, outdoor activity each week. For children in grades K through 5. No registration required.
Secrets of the Hidden Pond
Saturday, June 30 at 10:00 AM
Trail Tuesdays
Every Tuesday from April through September from 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Assist with hour-long projects to help maintain and improve ecosystems and trails throughout the preserve. A variety of projects ensures there is something for almost every age and ability. Refreshments provided.
Red, White and Blue Walk
Saturday, July 7 at 10:30 AM
Nature offers all kinds of colors, as well as shapes, patterns and textures for kids to discover. Bring your young child on this sensory exploration. For children ages 3 to 7.
The Reinstein Woods Experience
Saturday, July 7 at 1:30 PM
Spiders: What's in Your Web?
Tuesday, July 10 at 10:00 AM
Family Nature Hour
Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 PM
Hands-on activities allow families to investigate nature together on a different topic each session. Please note: this program will take place at the Julia Boyer Reinstein Library at 1030 Losson Road in Cheektowaga. To sign up, contact the library at 716-668-4991.