Would you take the shot?

The popular wisdom among photographers says that the best results are achieved when you are at eye level with your subject. Avoid taking shots from a higher position, as the distance between your subject and the background becomes smaller and the image will not appear as attractive as when photographed at eye level.

But when you are shooting wildlife, you do not have many options. It is either take the shot or miss it. So, if you see a bird like the one in the picture above, would you capture the moment or let the opportunity that nature has given you slip away?

My opinion? I never waste an opportunity.

I wouldn’t consider the picture above to be bad, and here’s why:

Moment and Expression: You captured the bird mid-call, with its beak open and feathers slightly ruffled; that’s a dynamic, storytelling moment that adds life to the image. Those moments are hard to predict and even harder to catch sharply.

Lighting: The morning light beautifully enhances the bird’s black plumage, revealing the subtle iridescent tones and the red-and-yellow markings on the wings. That detail often gets lost in harsh or flat light.

Composition: The placement of the bird slightly off-center works well. The surrounding lily pads and reflections add a natural context without overwhelming the subject.

Depth and Contrast: Even though the photo is taken from slightly above (which some would avoid), the depth created by the water texture and lily pads makes it visually engaging.

So, even if it’s not “eye-level,” this image works because of its emotion, timing, and natural composition. In wildlife photography, the story often outweighs textbook composition rules — and this photo tells a strong one.

The best picture from last weekend

Migration has finally reached Florida. This weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph some of our visitors, and without a doubt, this one stands out as my favorite. 

This is why I like this picture.

Natural storytelling: The way the birds gather feels social, almost like a quiet conversation among them;  something that adds emotion and life to a wildlife scene.

Lighting: The gentle backlighting highlights the texture of the feathers and creates a soft rim of light, something that’s very rewarding to capture in wildlife photography.

Composition: The diagonal line of the fence leads the viewer’s eyes through the frame naturally, and the spacing of the birds feels balanced without being staged.

Mood: The background bokeh and warm tones give the photo a sense of calm and morning serenity; the kind of peaceful moment photographers wait for.

It’s the kind of image that shows not just wildlife, but also connection and atmosphere.

Canon R6 Settings: Wildlife Photography vs. Sports Photography

Many of you have probably heard me mention changing the settings on my Canon R6 to suit my needs when shooting either wildlife or sports. This article explains why and How. 

 

The Canon R6 is a versatile camera capable of handling almost any situation — from the quiet patience of wildlife photography to the fast-paced action of sports. While both genres rely on speed, precision, and timing, the way you configure your camera can make a big difference in your results. Here’s a closer look at how the settings for wildlife photography differ from those used for sports.

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1. Shutter Speed: Controlling the Action

Wildlife Photography:
In wildlife photography, your shutter speed depends largely on the subject. A perched bird or a resting animal allows for slower speeds — around 1/500s to 1/1000s — especially if you’re using a telephoto lens with image stabilization. However, for birds in flight or fast-moving animals, go up to 1/2000s or faster to freeze motion cleanly.

Sports Photography:
Sports require consistently high shutter speeds because the action is continuous and unpredictable. A good baseline is 1/1000s to 1/2000s, though you might go even faster for sports like soccer, basketball, or tennis. The key is freezing the peak of motion — the ball in midair or the player at full sprint.

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2. Autofocus: Tracking Your Subject

Wildlife Photography:
Wildlife subjects can appear and move unpredictably. The Canon R6’s Animal Eye Detection AF is a game-changer for this. Activate Servo AF and select the Animal Detection option in the AF menu. Using the Whole Area AF mode works well since the camera can automatically detect and track the subject’s eyes or head across the frame.

Sports Photography:
For sports, switch to People Detection under the same Servo AF mode. The R6 does a great job identifying and tracking players, even when they’re wearing helmets or moving rapidly. You can also use Zone AF or Expanded AF Area for slightly more control, particularly if the scene is crowded, or you want to keep focus on a specific player.

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3. Drive Mode: Continuous Shooting

Wildlife Photography:
Wildlife moments are fleeting — the flap of a wing or a sudden glance can make or break a shot. The High-Speed Continuous+ mode (up to 20 fps with the electronic shutter) helps you capture multiple frames per second, giving you more choices later. However, be mindful of buffer limits and the need for fast SD cards.

Sports Photography:
The same burst mode applies here, but you’ll often hold down the shutter longer during plays. To avoid filling your memory card too quickly, consider shooting shorter bursts. Use mechanical shutter (up to 12 fps) if you’re under artificial lighting to avoid banding, which can sometimes appear with electronic shutters.

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4. ISO and Aperture: Balancing Light and Depth

Wildlife Photography:
Lighting in nature is unpredictable. You may shoot in the soft glow of sunrise or the harsh contrast of midday. Keep your aperture wide (f/4 to f/6.3) to let in more light and blur the background, isolating your subject. For ISO, use Auto ISO with a cap around 3200–6400 to maintain quality without excessive noise.

Sports Photography:
Indoor or evening sports often push ISO higher. Don’t hesitate to go up to ISO 6400 or even 10,000 if needed — the R6 handles noise well. Aperture depends on the sport and your lens, but f/2.8–f/4 is ideal to freeze motion while maintaining enough depth of field to keep the athlete sharp.

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5. Metering and White Balance

Wildlife Photography:
Use Evaluative Metering for balanced exposure in complex lighting (like sunlight filtering through trees). For white balance, Auto WB generally works well, but if you’re shooting during golden hour, switch to Daylight or manually set Kelvin temperature for warmer tones.

Sports Photography:
Lighting in stadiums and gyms can be tricky. Stick with Evaluative Metering but check your histogram often. For indoor events, manually set the White Balance to match the lighting (e.g., Fluorescent or custom Kelvin value) to avoid color casts.

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6. Other Helpful Settings

• Image Stabilization (IBIS): Keep it on for wildlife handheld shots, but turn it off when using a tripod or monopod for sports.

• Back Button Focus: Assign AF-ON to your thumb for both genres — it’s invaluable for separating focus from the shutter.

• Silent Shutter: Great for wildlife to avoid disturbing animals, but not ideal for sports under flickering lights.

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Final Thoughts

Both wildlife and sports photography demand quick reactions and precise control, but they differ in rhythm. Wildlife photography is about patience — waiting for the right moment and blending into the environment. Sports photography is about anticipation — predicting the play before it happens.

The Canon R6 excels in both worlds, but success comes from understanding your subject and adjusting your settings accordingly. Whether you’re tracking a heron taking flight or a player scoring the winning goal, the right setup ensures you never miss the moment.

 

What is the most difficult shot you’ve taken?

Good question. In general, birds in flight are difficult—especially small birds that tend to fly very fast. Swallows are particularly challenging, so that would be my first choice.

Another difficult shot is that of a flying dragonfly.

Of course, hummingbirds should be included on this list. Their erratic flight patterns make them very hard to capture. You have to wait until they hover near a flower.

 

Sometimes what you see is not what it is

I thought that I was seeing a hummingbird flying around some flowers, and it was not until I checked the picture using the zoom feature that I noticed that it was not a bird; it was a Banded Sphinx Moth. It is usually a night flyer, but every now and then, you can spot one early in the morning feeding on flowers. With its powerful wings and bird-like hovering, it’s easy to mistake it for a tiny hummingbird. 

A rare and magical sight to start the day! 

Weekend Continuation: Bald Eagle.

Memorial Day. I decided to skip my usual park and head to Bay Port, one of the oldest places in Hernando County with a rich history. But for me, it’s just a spot to snap some pics of all sorts of sea birds, including the majestic Bald Eagles. Lately, I haven’t been as lucky with them, and I thought I’d be home empty-handed again. But guess what? As I was about to leave, I spotted a huge bird in the distance. And right away, I knew it was a Bald Eagle! 

Most Americans think these birds only live north, but they actually also live in Florida, even as far south as South Florida. I’ve even seen them nesting there! 

Taking pictures of these birds is always a pleasure. 

Lizards

I love photographing lizards. They are territorial animals, and when you get close—sometimes too close—they’ll let you know. Head bobbing, push-ups, and dewlap displays (the colored flap under the throat) are common ways lizards communicate dominance, territory, or mating interest.

Stop! You are too close!

South Florida is a paradise for lizards. You can find both native species and ones imported from places like Cuba. Here in the central part of the state, they tend to disappear during the winter but return in the spring and summer.

So, What Happens to Common Florida Lizards in Winter?

1. Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) – Non-Native (Cuban Origin)

• Behavior: Becomes sluggish during cold snaps, hides under debris or in warm crevices.

• Survival Strategy: Can handle short cold periods in central/south Florida but may die off in prolonged cold.

• Note: They're invasive, so cold winters sometimes help control their populations.

2. Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) – Native

• Behavior: Brumates (goes dormant) during colder months, especially in central and northern Florida.

• Hiding Spots: Tree bark, logs, leaf litter, or inside buildings.

• Adaptability: More cold-hardy than brown anoles and can bounce back quickly when temps warm.

3. Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) – Non-Native (Cuban Origin)

• Behavior: Sensitive to cold. Often goes into torpor or dies during freezes.

• Region: More common in South Florida, rare in the center or north due to cold intolerance.

• Note: You may find them stunned on cold mornings.

4. Mediterranean Gecko – Non-Native

• Behavior: Hides in walls, attics, or warm places during winter.

• Adaptability: Can survive urban winters by living inside human structures.

5. Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) – Native

• Behavior: Brumates in logs, under rocks, or buried in loose soil.

• Location: More common in northern and central Florida; they are well adapted to seasonal temperature changes.

From last weekend

In Florida, whenever you're near any body of water, you should always assume there may be alligators. This small lake near my home was completely dry for several months last year. Thanks to the last two hurricanes, it has water again. While in the past I had only seen one alligator swimming around, this past weekend I was lucky enough to photograph two of them cruising very close to each other.

They are impressive animals. They’ve been on this planet longer than we have, and at least in Florida, they’re here to stay.

 Here is the video that I took last weekend showing wildlife around the lake. 

Baby Alligator

Alligators in Florida are, quite literally, everywhere, and their presence is deeply woven into the state’s natural landscape and culture.

With over 1.3 million alligators estimated to live in the state, they can be found in virtually every freshwater body, including lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, canals, and even some brackish environments. From the Everglades to suburban retention ponds and golf course water hazards, it’s not uncommon for Floridians to spot an alligator sunning itself along a bank or gliding stealthily through water.

Their widespread presence is due in part to strong conservation efforts. American alligators were once on the brink of extinction in the mid-20th century due to unregulated hunting and habitat loss. However, through federal and state protections, they’ve made a remarkable recovery and are now considered a conservation success story.

If there’s water, there are most likely alligators—that’s the rule you should follow. Even if you don’t see them, they see you. This baby alligator was watching me without moving a muscle for a long time, and if it hadn’t been for his nose breaking the calm surface of the lake, I wouldn’t have noticed him at all.

Wildlife Photography Tips

 Here is an article that I found very useful for those already into wildlife photography. 

For decades, OM SYSTEM Ambassadors Joe and Mary Ann McDonald have traveled the globe, documenting wildlife in its natural element through their photography.

This husband-and-wife team photographs birds, reptiles, mammals, and marine life across all seasons and continents. Their extensive experience, from photographing bison and wolves in Yellowstone to penguins in Antarctica, has yielded invaluable insights. The photography team shares practical tips that have helped them improve their wildlife photography, especially when tackling challenging conditions.

Breakfast in America

This is a picture from last weekend’s photoshoot. Of course, while I was looking through the viewfinder, I didn’t notice the bug in the beak—it was only during post-editing that I spotted it.

I’ve been following a couple of Sandhill Cranes to see where they were nesting, and last weekend, I finally found the spot. I have to say, these guys are late, because by now, most of them already have babies.

 

They chose a spot on a small island close to the shore of the lake—hidden and safe from predators living around the area.

I love squirrels

 I love squirrels—what’s not to love about them? Well, unless you have an avocado tree in your yard. If you haven’t experienced one of them attacking your trees, these animals are adorable and among the most photographed by me.

Birds portrait photography

I'm fascinated by bird portrait photography. While capturing the entire bird showcases the vivid colors of its feathers, shooting portraits highlights the beauty of its eyes. Birds' eyes come in a stunning variety of colors. Click on the image to zoom in and appreciate the details.

 

Human contamination

Human contamination of nature is a serious problem. If you don’t understand its impact, just look at this picture of a seagull trying to eat a red plastic floater.

 

 

Sleeping Squirrels

In this video, wildlife photographer Dani Connor explains how she captured photos and videos of sleeping squirrels—a project that took her two years to complete.

 

From Last Weekend

Last weekend was a long weekend with a lot of activity, I shot more than 1200 pictures starting with a Karate Event last Saturday. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the event. 

 

A funny moment!

You can see the rest of the HD pictures of this event here. There photographs were taken using the EF70-200 L f2.8, my favorite lens for this type of events. 

During Sunday and Monday I resumed my normal activities doing some wildlife photography.

These pictures were taking using the EF100-400 L, with a 1.4x. 

 

 

Getting close

Some people think that once you get a zoom lens you are ready for wildlife photography but the reality is that even with zoom lens you need to get close to your subject to get quality photos. This vide from Paul Miguel is all about this topic. 

To be always ready

I can’t overstate the importance of always being ready as a wildlife photographer. The BBC recently published an article that perfectly illustrates what I mean.

Just the other day, I was at a local park with a lake when an otter suddenly emerged from the bushes, sprinting toward the water. By the time I raised my camera and attempted to take a photo, it was too late. The otter had disappeared into tall grass, and the camera couldn’t lock focus. I had missed the brief moment when it ran across the shorter grass, clearly visible.

It felt like I’d lost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph one of the most graceful animals I’ve ever encountered.

Spot were I lost view of the otter.

Hide and Seek

Sometimes animals behave in ways that mimic human activities and even games, like this squirrel that decided to play hide-and-seek with me.

 

I finally got it

In 10 years I have taken many pictures of hummingbirds perched but never of one flying. Today I finally had that opportunity. 

Inwas about to end my walk today when I saw it flying around and I mananaged to take 3 pictures in one single burst.