WNCNC - Black Bears

On my days visiting the Western North Carolina Nature Center, my first visit after passing through the barn yard entrance is the Bear pen.  There are two American Black Bears in residence, Uno and Ursa.  Both bears are in their upper teens.
I'm not a bear expert.  All observations are that of an ignorant observer.  
All that out of the way, I probably spent more time watching these two.  Not sure why exactly, maybe waiting for some bear stereo-typical action.  No jumping up and down, no standing on their hind legs.  Quite business-like and bear professional.  Although for sure, there was a lot of napping involved.
I don't have enough experience to know if the bear pen is large enough for two, but looks large enough to me.  I was lucky enough to see the bear feeding procedure.  I should say, I did see the procedure, the actual feeding takes place in an enclosed shelter that separates the occupants and probably keeps the keepers at a safe distance.  A learning experience for me.  The bears however had the process down pat.  As soon as the keeper, with pail in hand, started toward the feeding enclosure, they were on the move.
These are some shots of the Bears going through their morning.

Baby Bear Walk

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

262 mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 800 (Auto)

EV +2, Manual Mode, Size DX

When I first saw what I'm calling the baby bear walk, I hear the baby elephant walk music.

Bear and Stump

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

150 mm, 1/320 sec, f/6.3, ISO 500 (Auto)

EV +2, Manual Mode, Size DX

It seem like most of the Bear's day was keeping its body weight equally dispersed on the ground.

Bear Looking for Food

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

117 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (Auto)

EV +1, Manual Mode, Size DX

Bear in Shelter

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

390 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (Auto)

EV +1, Manual Mode, Size DX

What does a bear do on a Monday?

Bear Nap

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

195 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (Auto)

EV +1, Manual Mode, Size DX

Look at those bear paws.  Awesome.

#1225 Steam

It is the start of the Steam Railroading Institute's 2019 North Pole Express Season.  I told myself that I wouldn't chase every weekend, just those with blue sky and if there is fresh snow.  That lasted one weekend.  But the sky did start out blue yesterday.  And there was snow on the ground.  Not fresh, but it will do.
Prior to the day's activity, the #1225 is loaded with coal and water.  I caught some of this action last year, here.   After the fuel loading, the engine moves into position ahead of the passenger cars, separated by Washington St.  Yes, the railroad crossing bells/alarms go on.  Constantly.  If you are standing in line to get on, you hope the line moves quickly.

Not the most photographic environment.  Cars to the left, phone poles to the right. 
But there is a lot going on.  Apparently once these things get lit up, you need to keep it lit up.  There is always an Engineer in the seat, or at least in the cab.  Can't just leave the levels of heat, steam pressure or water un-attended.  And all those sight-seers.

I was around for almost an hour, and during that time I heard the automatic coal loader engage a few times.  You could feel the increased heat.  You could see the different colors of exhaust coming out of the front stack.  There are vents along the bottom of what I guess is the fire box to ram air into the fire once the engine is moving.  All very cool to see - while the engine is getting ready to depart.
I am used to maintenance hours per hour used figures.  My C5 aircraft required between 20 and 40 man hours per hour flown, depending on what source and what model you use for the estimates.  I'm going with the #1225 needs a lot of TCL as well.  When ever it is not moving, something is going on.

But for the day, I wanted one shot.  I wanted the front of the engine, as much as possible without the parking lot on the left and the building in the right.  And not have a wayward distraction with a camera walk by.  
When the engine moves, in any direction, from a standstill there is a large release of steam.  This much I know from a lot of hours watching.  So, I can be sure of a release prior to the engine moving rearward to hook up to the cars.  And I wasn't disappointed.

#1225 Steam

NIKON D7200 Ver.1.04/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

20 mm, 1/500 Sec, f/9, ISO 200 (Auto)

EV -1, Manual Mode, Size DX

There was some touch up work required.  On the original, there were hints of phone poles and wires.  This has the snow and blue sky I was looking for in the day.  I think the angle is good, gives some depth on the engine.  At the time the picture was taken, is was slowly moving backward.  And that helped the effect.

New Lens Focus Validation

AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR
It's big and heavy.  Not a walk around lens.
Five (5) pounds to carry around.  And on the D500, and D7200, it acts like a 300 to 750 mm.
I was looking at this lens or the 80-400.  For what ever reason, the 80-400 cost a lot more but the reviews are insane (good insane).
I went with the 200-500 as it has great reviews when used with the D500 from a number of posts on the UHH.  The 200-500 is a pretty good compliment of what I have now.  A 300 to 400 jump wasn't as big a bang, and I would probably have to sell the 70-300.  Keeping the 70-300 will work, that is more of a walk around lens.  As I found out today, the 200-500 is a lot more event driven lens.  Not good for all occasions.
The only negative remarks I heard from the lens was a few people posted that the auto focus didn't match up with the camera.  When you see these types of posts you never know the entire story such as were the cameras altered in any way?  Most posts said they had to send the lens back two or three times before they could get a good focus.  Camera or user issue?  Nikon hater?  (They're out there)  All I take from this is I should really get a test/acceptance drive done as soon as possible.
That was today's mission.  The subject would be the first day of the #1225's Polar Express runs for the year.  It would have been better to get some birds at the Refuge, maybe next June?
For my tests today, there is no UV filter.  There is no software sharpening.  This shot is as bare bones as I can get.

#1225 Rolling - Lens Test

NIKON D500/200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

480 mm, 1/2000 sec, F/5.6, ISO 640 (Auto)

EV 0, Manual Mode, Size DX

Looking at 100%, the image is very sharp.

Looking good at 200%.

On the lens barrel is it 320 mm.  Very close to the middle range.  I'm going to go with the auto focus on this lens is pretty good.  Think I'll keep it.

Grumman F8F Bearcat

One of the problems of learning history through watching WWII movies is you learn the 'cool' stuff, but can miss the 'really cool' stuff.  One of the Reno Air Race's performers is the Commemorative Air Force.  The CAF is an outfit in California that is a group of restored aircraft that tour the country.  Thankfully.
One of the aircraft that made its way out to Reno was the Grumman F8F Bearcat.  And because I don't know as much about WWII aircraft as I think I do, this is an interesting episode in my life.
In 2018 when I first saw the CA putting on its show, one of the aircraft really caught my attention.  During the show, there were three fighter type aircraft.  The Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero, the Grumman F6F Hellcat and the Grumman F8F Bearcat.  The Zero and Hellcat take off first.  Nice standard climb pattern.  Then the Bearcat.  The climb rate is incredible for a  prop driven aircraft.  And I say to myself as I often do when I see incredible air power, like bringing a gun to a knife fight.
I need to know more about this.  As I have read, the Bearcat took the best of the Hellcat, and then added some steroids.
Both the Hellcat and Bearcat were designed around the Pratt and Whitney R-2800.  The PW R-2800 was the most powerful engine at the time, generating a rated 2,000 HP.
The increased performance would have to come from design changes.  The net on this was compared to the Hellcat after the changes, the Bearcat was 20% lighter, had a 30% better rate of climb and was 50 mph (80 km/h) faster.  Blade versus the bullet.
In the world of ratings, for watching a prop driven aircraft climb, nothing is sweeter than the Bearcat showing off.  Number #1 in my book.

Grumman F8F Bearcat Engine Start

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

202 mm, 1/100 sec, f/29, ISO 125

EV 0, Manual Mode, Size DX

At some point during my stay at Reno, for the prop planes I used a CPL to slow down the shutter speeds.  I usually don't like shooting above F/11.  F/20+ is not where I'd like to be.  F/14 is much better.

Grumman F8F Bearcat Taxi

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/100 sec, f/14, ISO 250

EV 0, Manual Mode, Size DX

This was heavily cropped.  Could be better.  But good enough.

Grumman F8F Bearcat Inverted

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

450 mm, 1/400 sec, f/14, ISO 560

EV 0, Manual Mode, Size DX

And because I'm new to the racing crowd, I missed seeing the Rare Bear fly.  Rumors as to why the aircraft no longer flies, or if it will ever fly again run rampant.
Rare Bear is a re-built, modified Bearcat.  It is powered by a Wright R-3350.  The re-build was completed in 1969.  It started racing in Reno in the unlimited class that same year under the name Able Cat.  From 1976 to 1980, the aircraft did not race due to restoration following a belly landing.  The the aircraft, now called Rare Bear from 1980 to present day has won eleven championships in the Unlimited Class.
I have come close to the greatness of Rare Bear, but didn't know it.  Just snapped another picture of another airplane in the pits.  But I have spent time with many of the veterans of the races and now know more of the lore.  The aircraft was at Reno in 2018, but did not fly.  May rumors as to that situation.  In 2019, it was not there.  In 2020, maybe I'll get another chance.

Rare Bear on display in 2018.

Rare Bear on Display in 2018

NIKON D90/18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

20 mm, 1/1000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200

EV -0.67, Aperture Priority, Size DX

Although winning speeds can vary a lot year to year due to the environment, Rare Bear can complete the laps at better than 480 MPH.  That's a big league speed.

Rare Bear has set many performance records for piston-driven aircraft, including the 3 km World Speed Record of 528.33 mph (850.26 km/h) set August 21, 1989, which still stands in this class, and a new time-to-climb record (3,000 meters in 91.9 seconds set in 1972 (9842.4 ft - 6,426 fpm), breaking a 1946 record set in a stock Bearcat).

Racing Royalty.

WNCNC - Bobcat

On the two days I visited the Western North Carolina Nature Center, I made three rounds of the area each day.  I arrived as early as I could, opening time is 10:00 AM.  Number #1 through the gate.  It was either morning feeding time, or close to it.  By the time I'd finish up around 1:00 PM, it was generally nap time for the inhabitants.  It usually worked out that those who were 'slow' on my first round were generally more 'awake'  in round two.  Round three was for those who didn't get the memo that there were visitors at the gate.
There was one exception.  The Bobcat.  Missy.  Missy the Bobcat loves to nap, and nap in the sun.  In five of the six rounds, Missy was napping.  Only once did Missy see me.
Bobcats in the wild are very rarely seen.  You're on their ground.  If you see them in the wild, it might not be a good thing.  Bobcats are predators.  Its appetite covers small things and large things.  Excellent night vision.  My only survival defense is that I might not be fast enough to even get on its radar.
But it certainly is a cat, and I like cats.  Missy is cute, by my standards.  And like my cats, she has the 'stare'.  Missy is bred in captivity, but her DNA identified me as 'food'.

Bobcat Looking at Me

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

232 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (AUTO)

EV +2, Manual Mode, Size DX

I recognize that look.  Even with my cats at 8 pounds, this might not end well.

And I recognize this look.  All is well with kitty dreams.

Bobcat Napping

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

262 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (AUTO)

EV +1, Manual Mode, Size DX

WNCNC - Red Panda

I like learning.  Days go better when I lean something new.  And at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, I learned something.  And it was good.
I had no idea there was something called a Red Panda.  Cute doesn't begin to describe this critter.  And it was the most difficult to photograph.  Seriously.
As to the critter, and how it wound up in North Carolina it is a bit of a story.
Is it a panda?  Is it a raccoon?  No one knows for sure.  Currently it is in its own family.  But why is this an inhabitant of the WNCNC?  The center is residence to current Appalachian inhabitants.  Red pandas live in the mountains of Nepal and northern Myanmar (Burma), as well as in central China.   That's current.  A direct relative of the Red Panda, Bristol’s Panda, was found to live in the Appalachian mountains nearly 5 million years ago.  Learning.  The Red Panda should be represented in the nature center.
As I mentioned, these critters were hard to photograph.  Yes they move slow.  Yes, you can predict where they are going to move to and from.  No place to hide.  The issue is the fencing.  The chain link is about half the size of a 'normal' chain link.  Auto focus didn't work so well.  All manual focus.  Not complaining, just a fact.

Red Panda Looking

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20 /70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

165 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 640 (AUTO)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Red Panda Walk

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20 /70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

165 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 720 (AUTO)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Learning.  It's a good thing.

WNCNC - Gray Wolves

There are times when I think I was born too early.  I mean technology is growing exponentially every day.  I love technology.  And then I think I might have been born too late.  Living in the history that I've learned.  What would it be like to be among the first to see the Rockies?  Who am I kidding, I was born at the right time.
These gray wolves were probably born too late.  Wolves need a good PR firm to change their image.  Maybe then they could survive.  Wolves are high on the food chain who have been pushed out of their territories by no fault of their own.  They fight back as they can.  And its not good for them.  And they are not alone in their fight to survive.  I won't debate the right and wrong of either side - it just is.
That aside, the wolves who are residents at the WNCNC were fun to spend a few hours with.  Graceful animals in the walk.  Probably wouldn't say that if one were chasing me me for dinner.  But in my eyes, beautiful animals.
As I approached the wolf area, there is a blocked off from view part of the fence and he first you see of the area is from an enclosed viewing area.  Simply, some clear plastic in nice housing.  When I approached this area, this is my sight.  Wow.  He was right there.  Less than four feet away from me, separated by plastic.  In the wild, this probably would have been terminal.  For me.  Here, I got the first shot.  (Lucky for me, no odd reflections in the plastic.)  Love the eyes.

Gray Wolf Eyes On

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

105 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (AUTO)

EV +2, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

I think the pen for the wolves is pretty good size.  Easy for me to say, I'm not penned in.  That not withstanding, there are a few protective sheds for the wolves.  On one of my passes by, this gray one was on top of a shed, resting.   Resting with eyes open.  As the wolf was born in captivity, it has no memory of running wild.  Unless it hears it's DNA calling.  I hope not, would be awful.  I hope it just hears the birds above.
This shot is cropped pretty severely.  The issue was a red leaf on the hind quarter.  The red leaf was about half way between the wolf and me.  And the light bend was enough to make it look like not a leaf, but some bad coloring on the fur.  Didn't really like it.  And it is an excuse to make the eyes larger.

Gray Wolf On the Shed

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

330 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (AUTO)

EV +1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Beautiful animals.  As long as I'm not on the menu.

Red Fox Close Up (Not that Redd Fox)

I had two or three nice shots from my trips to the Western North Carolina Nature Center.  Well, two or three that really stuck with me.  This shot of a red fox is by far is the one I liked the best.  Well, so far anyway.
In the Nature Center, the fox enclosure allows the fox to come very close to the two legged critters.  Unfortunately that brings into play the fence.  But I'm not kidding anyone, this is a fox in an enclosure who is not afraid of the higher food chain. 
The only issue I have with this shot is the fox's left eye is partially obscured by the chain fence.  9 out of 10.  9.5 out of 10.

Red Fox Close Up

NIKON D500 Ver.1.20/70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

202 mm, 1/400 sec, f/6.3, ISO 1000 (AUTO)

EV +1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

For me there is a lot to like here.  First, the eye is sharp - followed by the rest of the fox.  I can see the whiskers.  I can see the red and white hairs.  I like the background of green and yellow.  And I can learn to like the fence.

Catch Up (Not ketchup)

Returning home after a week on the road.  Traveled to North Carolina for a family visit, time in the Laurel Mountains for some much needed decompression and home again.  (With some retail therapy tossed in.)
While in North Carolina, I found my way to the Western North Carolina Nature Center.  (www.wildwnc.org)  Not exactly a zoo, not exactly a refuge, but something nice in between.  (Not that I'm an expert on either.)  I went there on two mornings, between 10:00 AM (Opening) and 1:00 PM (Pretty much nap time for the permanent residents.)
Things I learned:
Shooting behind any protective,clear pane will cause reflections and dull the sharpness.  (Well, Duh!)  Even if the reflections are small, they are distracting.  Depending on size and severity, the reflections might be OK for vacation pictures but not OK for me.  Most of those got tossed.  Would much rather shoot behind a chain link fence.  If the situation is correct, the light can bend around the lines and the lines are not so noticeable.  And even when the links are noticeable, it seems to be OK.  When shooting through a fence, shoot through it - not along it.  Generally, a standard link fence did not play havoc with my auto focus.  In the case of a small critter, the link fence has smaller links and that did (totally - I mean no hope of working totally) mess up the auto focus.  I worked on manually focusing some shots and truth be told my eyes did not do well.  I didn't think to try the Live View option.  Stuff to try later.
Another thing I learned was when composing the scene, I'd try to get the focus point on the subject's eye.  (And for goodness sake, make sure the chain links don't obscure the eye. )  The thing I need to learn is when you do that and if the composition is too tight, you often will miss the tail.  Or bottom of the legs.  I did find that a close head shot is pretty pleasing.  At least two will get posted.
This information I learned from the Shiawassee Refuge, the earlier the better for critter activity.  For each visit to the WNCNC, I made three rounds of the area.  By the end of the third round, all the critters were in some form of slow motion, or no motion.  Sleep.  Nap.  Unless it is the Bobcat.  That one never moved.  Story for another post.  But, get there as early as possible.
I was without a laptop that I usually use to review/edit my shots of the day.  The reason for this is immaterial.  (You can assume I screwed up.  Wrong power cord!)  But on the good side, I did get Snapbridge working with my tablet and could at least review images.  Small steps.  Next figure out the Adobe PS stuff on the tablet that I already pay for.  Winter is coming - time is available.
On to PA.  I worked on using my flash unit.  Mostly, working on fill flash.  A learning hour.
On the return to Michigan, I stopped at my camera store.  Demo Days.  I looked at Nikon's mirror-less units.  Interesting, but not enough to make the change.  But I was really looking for a longer lens to either supplement the 70-300 or to replace it.  I was looking at the 80-400 or 200-500.   So, Nikon is doing their EOY sale.  That will go through the end of the year.  But the store was doing the no sales tax incentive with comes to about $80.  Enough to (mostly) pay for the UV filter.  Time to pull the trigger.  I've been thinking on this for a few months.  Bird shooting at the Refuge was getting to me.  I had a post about some Juvenile Eagles playing off at a real distance and I could have done so much better.  (Always blame the equipment.)  For time with the birds, take the biggest lens you can.
This will be mostly for shooting the birds.  And maybe an aircraft or two.