![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.larryditto.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/American-Alligator_51U26271.jpg\" "\\"American")
<\/a>For many years, I’ve sought an opportunity to photograph a big alligator with its mouth open displaying\u00a0its gleaming white teeth.\u00a0\u00a0With the help of photographer friend,\u00a0Steve Sinclair,\u00a0I\u00a0captured several images of\u00a0this big\u00a0gator sunning by\u00a0a\u00a0freshwater pool at South Padre\u00a0Island World Birding Center.<\/p>\n Blue Metalmark butterflies,\u00a0about the size of a quarter,\u00a0are very hard to find in the U.S.\u00a0\u00a0After excellent summer and autumn rains,\u00a0they have\u00a0begun to appear at butterfly gardens along the border in south Texas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For most of my butterfly photography, I use a Canon 300 mm, f4 lens with 1.4 X teleconverter or\u00a0a 25 mm extension\u00a0tube between that lens and the camera,\u00a0a Canon 7D\u00a0(its small sensor provides an additional 1.6X magnification of the subject).\u00a0 Of course, this camera and lens combination is supported\u00a0by a Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod with ball head.\u00a0 You won’t get sharp photos trying to hand-hold a big lens.\u00a0 Macro lenses require the photographer to get within inches of the subject and most butterflies won’t stand for that.\u00a0 I can work at a distance of about 4′ and get crisp, frame-filling\u00a0images without disturbing the butterflies.\u00a0 Much of the time I’m shooting at f 11 – 16, trying to get the depth of field needed to keep both wings sharp.\u00a0 Of course, part of the secret is getting into the right position to make an interesting photo capture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ** I have one slot left on each of\u00a0this winter’s\u00a0Whooping Crane Photo Tours … December 17 – 19 and January 21 – 23 at Rockport, Texas.\u00a0 Both are very popular, so let me know quickly if you want to join me on either shoot.\u00a0 Check this website under “Photo Tours” for more information.<\/p>\n “For since the creation of the world,\u00a0God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” Romans 1:20.<\/p>\n Thanks for visiting this newsletter,<\/p>\n Larry<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I’ve been doing\u00a0my\u00a0outdoor photography a little closer to home this year… no Tetons or elk this fall.\u00a0 Included below are some photos from the marshes at South Padre Island, Resaca de la Palma State Park butterfly garden, and the Santa Margarita Ranch near Cotulla, Texas.\u00a0 One of the best finds was a nice\u00a0hatch of blue … Continue reading Fall Photography Story<\/span> <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>