Macro/Micro/All Other Wildlife Judges’ Choice: Florida Apple Snail Laying Eggs © Kevin Barry -Showcase 2018
Bio: Kevin Barry is an award-winning photographer and south Florida native who travels to numerous locations in search of great shots and adventure. His work has been widely published and his magazine credits include Blue Ridge Country, Defenders, Florida Wildlife, LIFE, Natural History, Nature Conservancy, Popular Photography, and Texas Highways. Calendar companies using his work include Audubon, BrownTrout, Comda, Mountain Trail Press, Shearson, Teldon, and World Wildlife Fund.
Kevin loves to photograph everything in the natural world, from the smallest of insects to the grandest landscape. Ultimately, he hopes his photos can inspire others to develop a greater appreciation of nature, and care enough to want to save what remains of the “real world.”
Your Name: Kevin Barry
Title of Your Winning Image: Florida Apple Snail Laying Eggs
Related to your winning Showcase image:
How did you get the image?
I arrived just before sunrise at J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area in Palm Beach County, Florida, and walked over to the shallow marsh. After scanning the area for only a minute I spotted the apple snail laying eggs. I grabbed my camera and tripod, waded into the water, and set up just above the waters’ surface.
What was special about this opportunity you had to capture the image?
While sightings of apple snail egg clusters attached to marsh vegetation are not uncommon in the everglades, the morning I shot this was the only time I’ve ever observed, never mind photographed, an apple snail actively laying eggs. So, it was a special opportunity.
What equipment and camera settings were you using to capture the image?
I used a Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon 180mm macro lens on a Gitzo tripod. I shot @ 1/40 second @ f/9 with ISO 250.
Related to your nature photography:
How long have you been photographing and what, in particular, got you into nature photography?
I’ve been shooting pictures for many years, first on 35mm and 4×5” film and, now, with digital. Prior to becoming interested in nature photography, I was very involved in fishing, so I’ve been around nature pretty much my whole life.
Describe your nature photography experience level and current status.
I sell photos to publications and for décor, and I recently had images included in a group photo exhibit featuring Florida’s native plants entitled Renewal: Going Native. It’s at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre which ran from May 14 through August 4, 2018. https://www.workshop.org/museum/exhibits/
How should people follow you or see more of your work?
The best way to see more of my work is on my website, www.kevinbarryphotos.com. I also have additional images at www.flickr.com/photos/kevin_barry
My NANPA Portfolio is: https://nanpa.org/portfolio/kevin-barry/
