Practically every publication, whether print or online, is now engaged in an orgy of retrospection, looking back at the rapidly waning year and offering a selection of “bests.” And why should we be any different? To which end, I’ve been reviewing the photos that have crossed my virtual desk in the past 12 months, with an eye to showcasing some of the best. It’s an unavoidable subjective process, to be sure, but I think you’ll agree that Pat McKay’s work belongs in the front rank. His photos celebrate the beauties of the Delmarva Peninsula, and while his gear is state of the art, he prefers to get about in ways that wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow in 1890: by paddle, bike, and foot.

And speaking of Pat’s gear, here’s how he describes what he takes with him when he goes afield:

 

I have two camera bags, one that travels with me on my bike and in the kayak (and holds the Rebel XSi), and another that I take with me when I travel by auto (the Canon 7D) that I use when the location where I'm headed is just too far to realistically cycle in one day, or when the main purpose of the trip is photography. Here's a breakdown of each bag:

The Canon EOS 7D Bag:

• • Canon EOS 7D DSLR
• • Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD IF Lens
• • Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD
• • Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM
• • Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

 

The EOS Rebel XSi Bag:

• • Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi
• • Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD Aspherical IF

 

There is some overlap, but I've yet to find that "perfect" walk-about lens. And if one does exist, it's probably made out of solid unobtanium and freakishly expensive. I also always carry at least one point-and-shoot camera with me. In the past it has always been my trusty Canon PowerShot G-11 or my wife's Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital Elph. But recently I've also picked up a bridge camera— the Canon Power Shot SX40 HS—that I've been carrying with me sometimes instead of the G-11. I still prefer the G-11 for a number of reasons, not the least being the larger sensor and the ability to shoot in RAW. Still, the 35x optical zoom that is available with the SX40 HS, which gives 840mm total reach in terms of 35mm equivalent, is a nice feature.

 

As you can see, Pat gives a lot of thought to the gear he carries, like most serious photographers. But even the best equipment is worthless if the person behind the camera doesn’t have an eye for what works and what doesn’t. Needless to say, Pat’s got a great eye. And here’s the proof, broken down by camera and lens (just to keep us gearheads happy!):

 

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi and Tamron AF 70-300mm

The way ahead

Pause for reflection

On the forest floor (Amanita)

 

Canon EOS 7D DSLR and Tamron AF 70-300mm

Where herons thrive

Great egret in search of a meal

Flexible friend

Moving out

“I spy with my little eye…”

 

Canon G-11

Young rat snake

Marbled orb weaver

 

Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital Elph

Patience

Dignity (ibis)

The golden hour

Red sky at night (Hoopers Island)

Repose (basking turtle)

 

Canon Power Shot SX40 HS

Moon shot

Big water (the Cooper River)

 

Artistic Post-Processing With Photoshop CS5

Portrait in black and white (heron)

On watch

 

There you have it—a sampler of Pat McKay’s recent work. And now you know why I number it among the best I’ve seen, in this year or any other.

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To See More of Pat McKay’s Photography…

• • “I Love My Canon G-11!”
• • “Out and About With the Canon G11”
• • “Afloat With the Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS Digital ELPH”
• • “A Lens Named Tammy: A Chincoteague Island Photomontage”
• • “Osprey Can You See? A Photographer’s Flights of Fancy ”

 

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Contributing Photographer Pat McKay is a keen birdwatcher and a first-rate photographer, as these stunning shots of a pair of ospreys attest. Pat spied their nest near Fishing Bay, Maryland—a perfect place for fish-eating birds to set up housekeeping, wouldn’t you say?—and he made the most of the opportunity. But let Pat tell the story in his own words…

My wife and I had hoped to spot bald eagles, but we came across this pair of osprey instead who had built their nest atop a large tree near the water. As you can imagine, the pair were not happy to see us, but as it turned out we were only able to observe them for about 15 minutes. Although the skies were bright blue when we first arrived, in a matter of minutes the wind kicked up and the skies grew dark as a thunderstorm (with some pretty impressive lightning displays) formed over the water heading our way. We took the hint and jumped back into my pickup and headed home.

Seldom has any photographer put 15 minutes to better use, and Pat’s Canon 7D and Tamron 70-300mm lens both did yeoman service on the day. Here’s the proof:

Beautiful birds. Striking photos. And here’s an equally impressive shot of a red-tailed hawk in flight:

This photo comes with a mystery challenge, too. Can you see the feathery filaments trailing under the red-tail’s tail? (No? Then right-click on the photo above to bring up an enlargement in a new window.) Pat has no idea what it is:

I snapped this pic of (I believe) a red tailed hawk on yesterday’s bike ride. I was wondering if you know what the long string-like feathers are for? I don’t remember seeing this before, but then again I might not have ever noticed it before.

And neither do I. But I’ll bet someone reading this does, and if you’re that someone, please don’t be shy. Drop me a line and tell me—just click on “Send a Comment” below—and I’ll pass your note along to Pat.

Now here’s something a little closer to home:

I heard a blue jay squawking outside my window and I spotted these two chicks standing under a pine. I rushed outside with my camera and was able to get a couple of shots off before the mother blue jay finally convinced me that I really needed to be somewhere else.

These fledglings certainly look like they’re ready to take on the world, don’t they? Then again, I’ve never met a jay who didn’t embody supreme self-confidence—and more than a touch of vanity. Both these qualities come through loud and clear in the photo. Thanks, Pat!

A reminder: Right-click on any photo to embiggen.

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As a green sea turtle, of course! Amphibious adventurer and self-styled “Meanderthal” Barney Ward shot this photo near Port Aransas, Texas, early last week. Now he’s graciously allowed me to reprint it here.

To see more of Barney’s work—and to follow his peregrinations through some of the wilder corners of the great American Southwest—check out his blog, Old Fat Man Adventures.

Right-click on the photo to embiggen. (The enlarged image will open in a new window.)

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