Orbital Launches First Antares Rocket from Virginia Space Port at Wallops Island

Last Sunday evening, NASA launched the 1st Antares rocket from Wallops Island Virginia at the new Virginia Space Port Complex.  I was unable to attend this launch but was able to capture this image from 111 miles away near Lorton, VA.  You can just barely make out the rocket in this high magnification image.  I definitely need to plan for a trip to see one of these in person.

NASA has contracted with Orbital to provide unmanned resupply missions to the International Space Station with launches primarily from Wallops Island, VA.  The empty space pods will be filled with space station trash and then burned up with the pod during re-entry over the ocean.

Here is a link to a NASA video of the launch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3L7crGudVU&feature=youtu.be

National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest People's Choice Finalist

Amazingly, one of my Bald Eagle photographs has been selected for the final round in the NWF People's Choice Photo Contest.  Here is what is posted for this entry:

 "I have photographed Bald Eagles for about 5 years and have seen a dramatic increase in the eagle population here in Northern Virginia.  Many eagles are transient.  However, we have many that nest and remain here year round.  "Overpopulation" along the bay, if you will, has forced many to nest inland and have become pretty tolerant of people and our activities.  Due to conservation efforts, the Bald Eagle in the lower 48 states, has recovered (doubled each year) to about the same numbers as there were when the Declaration of Independence was signed.  Lead poisoning continues to be a major threat to the Bald Eagle.

For this capture, I waited on the shore with my dog and gear for about 1 hour until this eagle flew in and made several attempts to catch this fish.  Three Ospreys eventually showed up and chased the eagle away. The moment before the "strike" is most intriguing to me.  Eagles MUST be successful as their livelihood depends on a continuous supply of food.

This image was shot at ISO 2000 on an overcast day.  I used a digital camera technique of overexposing by 2 stops but keeping the highlights at the very top of the in camera histogram.  I then pulled the exposure back down afterwards to reduce the noise and grain.  Additional basic corrections were performed to increase color and contrast balance."

It is an honor to be selected.  Final round voting begins July 23rd 2013 and continues through August 5th.  Please support my work by voting each day for my photo starting July 23rd.

http://www.nwf.org/PhotoContest/ViewPhoto.aspx?imageid=385596

If you are interested in ordering a print you can order it here:

http://ewp.korcel.com/p144249644/h5bb823d0

National Wildlife Federation Photo Contest

This week I entered into the NWF photo contest where I have so far submitted 13 photographs.  If you have been enjoying my work, please register on their site as a voter and vote for my photos.  You can vote 1 time for each photo every day!

To see my registered photo's you can go to this link to vote on them:

http://www.nwf.org/PhotoContest/PhotoContestHome.aspx?search=true&lastname=korcel&sort=RECENT

I appreciate any and all votes you can give me.

Pileated Woodpeckers Have Begun Nest Building

Spring is in the air and the woodpeckers are at it trying to get their nests ready.  Here is one of the pair of Pileated Woodpeckers near Lake Mercer in Fairfax, VA.  It's clearing out wood chips from it's nest.  The pair take turns working on the nest while the other rests and feeds.  More of these shots can be found at www.eastwindphotography.com  I'll be following this pair and watching for active feeding.  Check back for possible shots of them parenting.