Sugar Cane Burning

On the way to work in late June I came up to the Honoapiilani Hwy Intersection heading to Lahaina, this is what I saw across the road.  I pulled over and retrieved my Canon 6D and tripod, only to find out that I had the attachment for my travel tripod that didn't fit the Manfrotto I had with me. Returning to the car to put everything away I noticed the flames reflection off the roof of my White (clean) Civic.  Laying the camera on the edge of the roof, I was able to get these shots.

Water Truck driving parallel to the burning field

As the flames intensity grow closer to the hwy vehicles continue along.

Tree & Flames reflection from Cars roof.

 Wider angle of the above shot

This is the last time that this field will ever be planted or burnt as HC&S discontinues sugar cane production on the island of Maui.

Have a great week and don't forget the camera.

Aloha,

Aaron

Water Drops

Practice, Practice, Practice.

Yesterday I broke out the camera's, yes 2 cameras, Canon 6D & 7D and setup a small light box of white 3/8" foam board.

I tried using my laser to trigger the camera, but didn't have any luck as it was too erratic. Sometimes not triggering at all other times doing continuous shots until I'd turn it off. So I reverted to the old fashion method of counting the drops and firing on the 4th drop as I estimated the time of the cone leaving the waters surface.  Probably had a 20% success rate. Thank the lord for digital technology.

I started with clear water to get distance and focus (I still think I can get the drops more defined as I practice) and then added blue coloring and then red.  Some of these are much more dramatic as the blue was mixed by the balls of red hitting the surface. 

I ended up having the best success with my 7D mark II as the 10-22 lens seemed to be easier to focus and reacted better to the available light.  

Blue/Clear drop suspended about a pool of blue water with rings radiating across the surface.

 

Raising water tower from a pool of red & clear water. 

 

Wildlife

As the clouds broke and the sunlight came out to play (i.e. It stopped raining for a couple of hours) I headed out to the Wildlife Refuge to see what waterfowl had arrived (if any) and scope out places to set up for future shoots.

Saw much more than I counted on, although not as many waterfowl as I thought there would be.  Right at the end as the sun was setting it started to sprinkle.

Reflections on the pond

Canadian Honker gliding across the water

Two Teal coming in for a landing

 

Bunnie trying not to be seen

 

All in all it was an enjoyable couple of hours walking the refuge and looking at the wildlife.  I laid along the short and watched/photographed the Canadian Honker for about an hour. She didn't seem to mind me at all, although she did stay at least halfway across the pond from me.  Teal were a surprise as I had just walked up to a new area and as I turned they came streaking by.  Got 3 shots off with only the first being in focus and panned to freeze their flight. Saw a large crane, but it was to far away for a decent shot.  I'm really looking forward to the next couple of months when the geese and ducks really start arriving. 

Heading to Mnt. Rainier on Tues.  Should be some good locations if it's not poring rain.  Have a wonderful week. Enjoy the fall colors and don't forget the camera.

Aloha,

Aaron