Distributor for Kwik Camo™!!

I am now the Canadian Distributor for Kwik Camo Photography Blinds!! Along with various other wildlife photography products, such as the Apex Bean Bag. The Bag Blind is a superb product, as my friend Jerry Peltier describes in his article click here!!

These blinds will be ready for shipping anywhere in the world next week, priced at 119.95  USD + shipping.

Please email me to place your order... ray@raymondbarlow.com

A moment!

Did you ever have a moment! One that you will never forget? Like a dream come true?

Well, a couple of my highlights in life... the day I married Daisy... (best woman in the world), the day Maria was born... unbelievable!!., and the day I looked down at my monitor and saw the attached image.

To make a long story short, this bird was underneath me on a rock face out of sight, Niagara Falls, Ontario.., summer of 2008. It lifted off and flew to the falls, catching the updraft. Once it was well above the falls, it banked and turned, like Jimmy Johnson at Bristol this past weekend!! The falcon took a dive, and headed right across in front of me.

I am guessing the bird was travelling about 110 kms per hour... and as it was approaching me I was frantically trying to get a lock on it with my D300. Hoping!! The bird was moving so fast I knew I could not keep up with it while looking through the view finder, so I moved the camera and lens away from my head, and tracked the bird by following it at an arm’s length.

Blazing away at 8 fps, and hoping like crazy, I figured, no way this bird could be in the frame, and in focus... Immediately looking through the burst of images, this one was the best., and holy smokes, I cannot explain the feeling I had.

The funny thing is, there were hundreds of people around me. The walkway at the Falls has so much traffic in the summer time, 98% tourists from around the world. I would say that within 100 feet of me, there were at least 250 people on that sidewalk... I had a tear in my eye, and not one of them had any idea what had just happens... imagine!

So, this was a cool story to share, and my dream is to have such an experience again. 400,000+ frames since I started photographing wildlife, and this moment takes the cake!

Wish you well, take care.

(please click on the image for the full size)

I have a 1920 wide-screen image for everyone who emails me... ray@raymondbarlow.com

New article in Ontario Birding News!

Thanks to Brian Morin for accepting this article., center spread!
Click on the article for the larger size.

Ontario Birding News
661 Champlain Dr
Cornwall ON K6H 6H9

$11.00/year - publishes quarterly
"Each issue brings you informative articles, news and entertaining stories
about Ontario's birds and the people who love to watch them."

New workshop program!

Song Birds and Woodpeckers

I have always done a few 'real wildlife" workshops, but the group workshops have really been something I enjoy, and they have really helped me survive over the past year and a half.

I think people need to learn the basic techniques, and proper etiquette for song bird photography, as it has been an extensive learning process for me.

Springtime is the very best for doing this type of shooting. the birds during their migration, and nesting with their full plumage make them a prime photo opportunity. Duck season is almost over, the winter chills are almost gone, and now is the time to brush up on your wild song bird skills.

I am hosting both 1/2 and full day programs, just go to my workshop web page for details.

Also, my Facebook fans page has grown like I would never have believed!! Please feel free to join me, as I post new images and notes in there 2-3 times each day.

More new workshops are being planned, and I look forward to meeting you for some fun one
day!!

take care.

It has been too long!!

Very sorry for not posting much recently., I am trying to get other stuff done, and there is only so much time in the day!!
Here is a series of images taken at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, March 7Th, 2010. We had a lot of people sign up for this one, as the adult bald eagle flew for the first time with my workshops! With 14 guests, there was little elbow room, but most of us had a good time, and enjoyed the birds flying on a nice sunny day.
Spring migration is coming into full swing, so I will be out shooting more coming up soon, and trying to keep up with my editing., always a challenge!! There is so much to do, so many emails, and phone calls. it is a great business to be in, but it sure eats up the time!

More new images coming soon., thanks for stopping by!

February 20Th, 2010 Mountsberg workshop report.

I am sooooo far behind here, this workshop was almost 2 weeks ago! So thanks to my 4 guests, it was a pleasure working with you guys, and thanks to Sandra, for another excellent job working with these beautiful birds.

We had some fun this time as Sandra would let the bird fly to the perch, and then remove it, and fly it into the perch a second time... this gave us a chance for some action shots!

The snow on the ground and a pretty overcast day, so the light could not have been better. We have added another date for Mountsberg next Friday afternoon, so please have a look at the workshops page, and sign up if you wish... just email me here... ray@raymondbarlow.com

More new images on the way here soon... just getting going with my editing. Please click on the images for a larger view, and use your "back" button to return to this page.

take good care!

Sorry... been busy!

Lots going on, and not enough time in the day!! special thanks to Russ Lawry who came here from south Maryland for a workshop... here is Russ and Sandra Davey, my friend and falconer from Mountsberg CA!!

Russ and I toured around Ontario for an entire weekend, covered some ground!! We got some nice shooting of the Barreds up at Brighton.