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Naturalizing in the BVI #318859
05/01/2024 06:29 PM
05/01/2024 06:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline OP
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
I recently discovered the iNaturalist website (and phone app)... a 503C organization that collects crowd-sourced nature observations.
It contains a fairly sophisticated database of computerized species identification, like reverse image search but quite a bit better.

Beyond that, there is a user base of millions, including experts in all sorts of biological organisms, who will confirm or correct the submitted observations to a high degree of accuracy.

This has added another whole dimension to my visits and photography! I had such an amazing time just a few days ago traipsing barefoot on Prickly Pear, stalking and photographing the scarlet Ibis and other birds. Learning the names and other facts about the BVI wildlife makes them that much more interesting to me.

In case anyone is interested, if you follow this link it will show the (so far small) set of observations I have made in the BVI:

MrEZgoing's BVI wildlife observations

The website is free and has no advertising. Highly recommended!






M4000 "Lio Kai"
BVI Sponsors
Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #318869
05/02/2024 08:33 AM
05/02/2024 08:33 AM
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Houston, TX
Matt W Offline
Traveler
Matt W  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 156
Houston, TX
This is cool! Your photos are amazing. You'll have to give me a class someday 😎

Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: Matt W] #318873
05/02/2024 08:56 AM
05/02/2024 08:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline OP
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA

Thanks Matt!

I'd love to learn how you get your great drone shots!

I used to get annoyed by the little birds at Setting Point that hunt for scraps and foul the deck.
Now, I'm like "Behold! the Ruddy Turnstone!"

Also, for years I've seen those weird upside down jellyfish in the mangrove shallows of Biras Creek.
I loved finding out they carry the awesomely celestial scientific name of Cassiopea andromeda.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319004
05/04/2024 08:10 AM
05/04/2024 08:10 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,430
Miramichi NB Canada
Sandsailsun Offline
Traveler
Sandsailsun  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,430
Miramichi NB Canada
Wow that is very very cool. Love your photos .


Kim

Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319017
05/04/2024 09:22 AM
05/04/2024 09:22 AM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,369
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
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bailau  Offline
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B
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,369
Washington DC
Really great photos...thanks for sharing

Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319115
05/05/2024 08:24 PM
05/05/2024 08:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
Traveler
skipdastraw  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
Thanks for sharing- what a cool website!
What camera are you using for your underwater photos?

Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: skipdastraw] #319116
05/05/2024 09:19 PM
05/05/2024 09:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline OP
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
I'm using an OM Systems "Tough" TG-7 in a OM housing. My first setup, I'm finding it a challenge!

Like this:

Link to Backscatter.com product page

Last edited by MrEZgoin; 05/05/2024 09:21 PM.

M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319124
05/06/2024 08:25 AM
05/06/2024 08:25 AM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
Traveler
skipdastraw  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
I have that camera so I am partway there! It does OK (great above water) but my pics aren't crisp. Do you think the housing or the light is the key?

Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319127
05/06/2024 08:38 AM
05/06/2024 08:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin Offline OP
Traveler
MrEZgoin  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 833
Redmond, WA
I haven't tried using the camera underwater on it's own, but I used to have a couple Nikon Coolpix's and they never lasted very long.
On this last trip, I didn't use the strobe at all, but used the M52 120 degree wide angle lens.

The camera should take sharp pictures underwater without the housing, but the built-in flash is probably not ideal from a backscatter perspective, and the 24mm equivalent lens underwater makes it tough to get close enough to reduce the amount of water you are shooting through.
I'm definitely working on all this myself, just getting started on UW.


M4000 "Lio Kai"
Re: Naturalizing in the BVI [Re: MrEZgoin] #319176
05/07/2024 07:45 AM
05/07/2024 07:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
skipdastraw Offline
Traveler
skipdastraw  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 376
New Paltz, NY, Narragansett, R...
I haven't had issues without the housing (yet) and this I am going on trip #3 with it. That said, it's great for not worrying about it with sand and water at the beach but hasn't been the best at UW. I think you nailed the reason being the lens. I will look into the wide angle. Thanks! Look forward to more of your pics. smile


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