Photography by Bob Shull - Northwest Arkansas Photographer RSS Feed: Blog

An evening with Master Bird photographer Tom Sisemore

bob@bobshull.com — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:26:32 -0500

I recently had the opportunity to spend an evening with photographer Tom Sisemore. Tom was kind enough to share some of his knowledge and photography experience with me. I have to say this was a great experience!

Tom has a great passion for bird photography, and it shows immensely through the quality and detail in his work. Tom says his favorite birds to photograph are hummingbirds due to their erratic movement and behavior. He has taken photographing them to a whole new level. Below is one of my favorites.

Tom geared me up with his hummer setup and stuck me in the drivers seat for a while. It was great seeing and hearing the hummers buzzing in and feeding. I'd never photographed hummingbirds before, but let me tell ya… they are very cool little birds! Here are a couple shots I took using Tom's gear and setup.
In short, I hated to see the evening end. I had a wonderful time visiting and learning from such an accomplished photographer. So until I visit again, here's hoping I can retain and apply what I've learned!

Tom has some of his photography posted on the Capture Arkansas website, be sure to go check them out and vote for them!

Richland Creek Wilderness

bob@bobshull.com — Sun, 23 May 2010 17:24:12 -0500

"The Richland Creek Wilderness is 11,800 acres of waterfalls, rocky creeks, bluffs and rugged Ozark Mountain terrain located in Newton and Searcy Counties in northwest Arkansas." - USDA Forest Service

I had the opportunity to explore the Richland Creek Wilderness this weekend with photographer Paul Caldwell of PhotosOfArkansas.com. Paul is an avid outdoorsman and an amazing photographer. I'd never been to Richland Creek before so this was an exciting trip for me.

Richland Creek Wilderness is just that, wilderness. It's raw, rugged and beautiful terrain. The Creek was running at around 350 cubic feet per second, which meant great waterfalls and photo opportunities. It also meant we'd have to use caution when crossing the creek.

We made our way from the trailhead around 8AM to the creek where we made our first crossing. Then out into the wilderness. There are so many photo opportunities at Richland, I believe I could spend a lifetime there and never run out of things to photograph.

Twin Falls was a jewel and a true work of nature. I can only describe it as transcendent. I'm not sure my photos can convey the overwhelming feeling you experience when standing the presence of them.

We spent a great ten hours in the Richland Creek Wilderness, though while I was there, time seamed to be non- existent.

Capture Arkansas 2010

bob@bobshull.com — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:29:42 -0500

In 2008 the Arkansas Democrat Gazette and Pediment Publishing held a photography contest called Capture Arkansas. At the end of the the contest they published the winners in a beautiful bound coffee table book. I was fortunate enough to have three photos published. I'm thrilled they have brought it back for 2010!!!

Capture Arkansas is so much more than a photo contest, It's a community of talented photographers. I made so many new relationships and connections and the experience was overwhelmingly positive!

If you are a photographer or simply have a love for beautiful photos, please head over to Capture Arkansas and check it out!!!

While you're there you're welcome to sign up and show me some love by voting on some of my photos!!!

University of Arkansas Squirrel Fun

bob@bobshull.com — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:56:40 -0500

A few photos of the many Squirrels on the University of Arkansas campas.

Biting off more than you can chew

bob@bobshull.com — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:27:12 -0500

A weekend float on the Elk River in Missouri yelded some great opportunities for wildlife photography.

One of my favorites was this Great Blue Heron gorging on a huge fish. I watched in amazement for a good two minuites as it tried hard to swallow the huge catch, but all attempts failed.

I was finially spotted and the heron leaped off, dropping its catch in the process.

Razorfest 2010 - Champions for Kids - Red vs White

bob@bobshull.com — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:57:53 -0500

I was recently given the opportunity to volunteer my services as a photographer for Champions for Kids at the 2010 Razorfest event. I not only got to photograph the events for Razorfest, but I was given an "All Access" press pass for the Red vs White game.

I was really excited to be a part of this event, it not only allowed me to give back, but it allowed me to do something I truly enjoy for a great cause.

I got to work with some great photographers and despite the off and on rain it was a great turnout and great experience.

A big thank you to Randy Odglen and Champions for Kids for the opportunity to help out!!

Baby Robins Feeding

bob@bobshull.com — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:55:00 -0500

More video of the robin family that moved in on a ledge of our office building.
See the first part o this series here

Spring Robin - New Life

bob@bobshull.com — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:42:37 -0500

A pair of beautiful robins have decided the ledge of our two story office building would make a great space to call home and to raise a family. I was really excited they moved in, I love my new neighbors. They really don't seem to mind all of the attention. The building has tinted glass and as long as I don't stick my face up to the glass they are fairly content with the camera.

Be sure to check out the video at the bottom.

Smith Creek Photo Field Day

bob@bobshull.com — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:03:21 -0500

We had a great turn out and amazing warm spring weather for the photo field day. Participants had free reign to explore the preserves 1,226 acres.

Spring wildflowers, cascades, and waterfalls provided a wealth of photo opportunities. The wildflowers were abundant and beautiful and the cool morning light provided amazing opportunities for waterfall photography.

Some varieties of wildflowers showing during the field day were Wild Ginger, Jacob's Ladder, Jack in the Pulpit, Golden Seal, White Dwarf Larkspur, Violet Wood Sorrel, Fiddle Head Ferns, Blue Violets, Yellow Violets, White Violets, Dutchman's Breeches, Large Bellwort, Buttercup, Rue Anemone, False Rue Anemone, Blue Phlox, and Johnny Jump Ups. There may have been more, but those are the ones that I was able to spot.

A huge thank you to Harvey Williams and the Nature Conservancy for providing access to the preserve and hosting field trip opportunities. This is an amazing preserve and I was thrilled to be a part of this event. I'm hopeful the conservancy will consider hosting many more events at Smith Creek Preserve.

Spring Bling

bob@bobshull.com — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:22:26 -0500

Ok, it's official, Spring is here and wildflower season is in full bloom!

A trip through Lost Valley and Smith Creek Preserve yield an amazing symphony currently underway. An orchestra of spring beauty and wildflowers serenade the valley and all those who are fortunate enough to have an opportunity to visit.

If you can't tell I'm really excited, spring is my absolute favorite season. If you have been waiting for a good time to visit the valley, NOW is that time.

Reminder:
Smith Creek Nature Preserve - Photo Field Day, Saturday, April 10, 2010 beginning at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to visit the preserve. While the preserve is always open to the public, a normal visit will require you to park at the gate and hike in. This hike is over a mile down and about a 600 foot drop in elevation. For the field day, the conservancy will have the gate open and allow you to drive in for this event.

To reserve a spot, please call Brenda Luper at 479-973-9110

More information on the Smith Creek Nature Preserve.
http://www.smithcreekpreserve.com
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/arkansas/preserves/art27772.html