Showcase 2019 Mammals, Best in Show: Red Fox – Mouth Full of Voles © Robert Schamerhorn.
Bio:
Bob Schamerhorn was propelled into nature photography as a result of the digital age. In 2006, a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a Peregrine Falcon on a beach in Cabo San Lucas sparked the transition from a point-and-shoot to a semi-pro camera. Within two years he began presenting programs at bird clubs, wildlife festivals and Audubon groups. He now keeps a full speaker schedule and displays at thirty art shows a year. Occasional publishing opportunities for book and magazine covers, plus photography contests have provided recognition and, in 2015, nature photography became a full time vocation.
Your Name:Robert Schamerhorn
Title of Your Winning Image: Red Fox – Mouth Full of Voles
About your winning Showcase image:
1) How I Got the Shot
We watched this Red Fox trot down the beach, cross a creek, then run out into the adjacent field where it hunted voles. It followed a similar path each time it came back. “Nature repeats itself,” I thought. I imagined this straight-on image as it came back up the beach with its catch. So, I lowered my tripod, changed my focus mode, got belly-down in the sand and waited next to its preferred trail. On its very next trip my vision and efforts were rewarded with this dynamic image.
2) What I Used
Equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark III • Canon 600mm f-4 Prime USM L Series Lens • Gitzo Series 3 Tripod • Wimberly Head WH-101 • Exposure: Shutter Speed = 1/1250 second • +1 Compensation • Aperture = f-4 • Exposure Mode = Aperture Priority • Focus Mode: AiServo • Lens (Focal) Length = 600 mm • ISO = 400 • Aprox. Camera Distance = ~20 Feet (and closing).
3) About Me
I have been a lifelong nature lover, artist and photographer. As of 2015, I’m also an enthusiastic professional nature photographer. I am primarily a “bird guy”, but also have an admiration for all flora and fauna. I consider myself an enthusiast, not an expert!
My favorite photographic setting has been birds at a backyard birdbath, lovingly know as “The Bird Spa” water-feature. Favorite places: Richmond, VA backyard; Chincoteague NWR in VA; Fort De Soto Park in FL; Makapu’u coastline on Oahu, HI and just about anywhere in Alaska.
4) My Photographic Journey
I’ve had a passion for nature and art since childhood. In my youth, my enthusiasm was nurtured by several local Ornithological organizations. My first photography endeavor was with a vintage Imperial Mark 27 dentist camera, macro style, around the age of twelve. In high school I developed film in a basement darkroom. Later, I studied art at Virginia Tech and have worked in related fields ever since. More recently, opportunities to share my photography began to appear: publishings, art shows, seminars and speaker engagements ensued. My hope is to inspire the conservation of nature, by capturing and sharing its beauty.
5) NANPA and Me
I am deeply honored by this, my first, NANPA recognition. I’ve been a NANPA member since 2016.
6) Where Can People Learn More About You?
Visit http://www.iPhotoBirds.com to see more of my work, the “Pic of the Week” photoblog and appearance schedule.
I’m on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/iPhotoBirds.
Birdbath photos and info at http://TheBirdSpa.com.
My NANPA Portfolio is: https://nanpa.org/portfolio/robert-schamerhorn-2019/.
