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Passion, Freedom, Adventure, Fulfillment, and Joy. That is just some of what photography offers. Sharing the experience with others is the reward. This blog is a collection of stories, tutorials, and insights I have gained in my exploration of light.
 Harris's HawkHere is a truth that might be understood only by another birder. I set a goal of 100 species for January which I missed by five birds because I got lazy. So today I figured I would visit our local Harris's Hawk to start to get caught up. I imagined it would be like other times I went to see this majestic raptor - a quick look in a distant tree before it flew off. Oh boy, was I wrong in the best possible way!
From down the block, I spotted the hawk perched upright on the top of a 50 foot pine tree. It seemed that it was far enough and high enough from the road that driving by to get the sun at my back would not spook it. Parking well away I cautiously walked towards the bird using a stand of trees as cover. When I found the right angle, I started to shoot and capture some video. Ten seconds into the session the bird turned to show its profile. I was gobsmacked at how stunning it looked. I took a few more shots, thanked the bird for its cooperation and left. It was a good day!
Harris's Hawks are unique amongst North American raptors in that they create strong social bonds with one another. Groups of seven hawks living and hunting together are not unusual. A hawk of the southwest, they can be found in Texas, New Mexico and, of course, my beloved Southern Arizona high desert.
I am blessed to witness and share the beauty of His world and gratefully remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: February 12, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄1000 sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 640
Here is a truth that might be understood only by another birder. I set a goal of 100 species for January which I missed by five birds because I got lazy. So today I figured I would visit our local Harris's Hawk to start to get caught up. I imagined it would be like other times I went to see this majestic raptor - a quick look in a distant tree before it flew off. Oh boy, was I wrong in the best possible way!
From down the block, I spotted the hawk perched upright on the top of a 50-foot pine tree. It seemed that it was far enough and high enough from the road that driving by to get the sun at my back would not spook it. Parking well away I cautiously walked towards the bird using a stand of trees as cover. When I found the right angle, I started to shoot and capture some video. Ten seconds into the session the bird turned to show its profile. I was gobsmacked at how stunning it looked. I took a few more shots, thanked the bird for its cooperation and left. It was a good day!
Harris's Hawks are unique amongst North American raptors in that they create strong social bonds with one another. Groups of seven hawks living and hunting together are not unusual. A hawk of the southwest, they can be found in Texas, New Mexico and, of course, my beloved Southern Arizona high desert.
I am blessed to witness and share the beauty of His world and gratefully remain His scribe.
Harris's Hawk
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: February 12, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Manual ¹⁄1000 sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 640
 PhotobombedI mean seriously, I spent all that time setting up the set, hiring the model, getting the lighting just right and this Chipping Sparrow photo bombs my shot! What is this world coming too?
There are serious things in our lives. If we lose our sense of humor they may overwhelm us. With all I have been given I must always remember how blessed I am to witness and share the beauty of His world. I remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: February 11, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/6.3 ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 500
I mean seriously, I spent all that time setting up the set, hiring the model, getting the lighting just right and this Chipping Sparrow photo bombs my shot! What is this world coming too?
There are serious things in our lives. If we lose our sense of humor they may overwhelm us. With all I have been given I must always remember how blessed I am to witness and share the beauty of His world. I remain His scribe.
Photobombed
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: February 11, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/6.3 ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 500
 Monsoon SeasonAt three o'clock in the afternoon on what was a bright summer day, ominous clouds roll in from the west foreshadowing the rage to come. The battle between pristine sunshine and furious rain is soon to begin. Once ignited it will unleash a destructive hellion power that is just barely contained by the peaceful summer sky. It is a campaign for control of the day that lasts only a short time. As the storm charges it triggers a mighty thrust of electric power! The sky responds with an arc of color, a peace offering, that signals the end of the turmolt is near. The wind blows. The grasslands shimmer. The mountains stand stoic, and the world tells a story of life.
I long for monsoon season. There is only one place I have ever been where lightning, rainbows and azure skies filled with cotton clouds exist all at once. That place is Arizona.
And, there is no place in Arizona where this is better represented than in the High Deserts of the Sky Island region. To witness such a sight is to transcend that which you have come to believe is possible. It is to enter a world that is at once mystically powerful and soothingly serene. To me, it isa demonstration of all the might, glory, tenderness and strength of our creator on display.
While there is not lightning and a rainbow with every storm, there is with most. The secret is knowing how and where to find it.
I live grateful to God for the fortune to witness and share His artwork and humbly remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: July 30, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Aperture priority ¹⁄₃₀ sec at f/22 ²⁄₃ EV
Lens: 15mm @ 15 mm
ISO: 100
At three o'clock in the afternoon on what was a bright summer day, ominous clouds roll in from the west foreshadowing the rage to come. The battle between pristine sunshine and furious rain is soon to begin. Once ignited it will unleash a destructive hellion power that is just barely contained by the peaceful summer sky. It is a campaign for control of the day that lasts only a short time. As the storm charges it triggers a mighty thrust of electric power! The sky responds with an arc of color, a peace offering, that signals the end of the tumult is near. The wind blows. The grasslands shimmer. The mountains stand stoic, and the world tells a story of life.
I long for monsoon season. There is only one place I have ever been where lightning, rainbows and azure skies filled with cotton clouds exist all at once. That place is Arizona.
And, there is no place in Arizona where this is better represented than in the High Deserts of the Sky Island region. To witness such a sight is to transcend that which you have come to believe is possible. It is to enter a world that is at once mystically powerful and soothingly serene. To me, it is a demonstration of all the might, glory, tenderness and strength of our creator on display.
While there is not lightning and a rainbow with every storm, there is with most. The secret is knowing how and where to find it.
I live grateful to God for the fortune to witness and share His artwork and humbly remain His scribe.
Monsoon Season
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: July 30, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Aperture priority ¹⁄30 sec at f/22 ²⁄3 EV
Lens: 15mm @ 15 mm
ISO: 100
The Says Pheobe is elegant looking and charming to watch as they perch on various limbs around our yard. That affect disguises their pernicious and adept ability to hunt. In a split second, they morph from calmly perched to fiendish flurry as they relentlessly clear our yard of any bugs that happen into their zone.
The bird in this photo had just launched off the limb of an agave plant to swoop down upon its unsuspecting prey. Just before it landed, it spread out its wings as an air brake, hovered for a moment, and finished the kill. Whether perching adorably or hunting voraciously, I could watch this bird all day and consider it a day well spent.
I live grateful to God for the chance to witness and share His artwork and humbly remain His scribe.
Say's Pheobe
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: February 8, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/7.1 ‒ ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 320
 Say's PheobeThe Says Pheobe is elegant looking and charming to watch as they perch on various limbs around our yard. That affect disguises their pernicious and adept ability to hunt. In a split second, they morph from calmly perched to fiendish flurry as they relentlessly clear our yard of any bugs that happen into their zone.
The bird in this photo had just launched off the limb of an agave plant to swoop down upon its unsuspecting prey. Just before it landed, it spread out its wings as an air brake, hovered for a moment, and finished the kill. Whether perching adorably or hunting voraciously, I could watch this bird all day and consider it a day well spent.
I live grateful to God for the chance to witness and share His artwork and humbly remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: February 8, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/7.1 ‒ ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 320
The Says Pheobe is elegant looking and charming to watch as they perch on various limbs around our yard. That affect disguises their pernicious and adept ability to hunt. In a split second, they morph from calmly perched to fiendish flurry as they relentlessly clear our yard of any bugs that happen into their zone.
The bird in this photo had just launched off the limb of an agave plant to swoop down upon its unsuspecting prey. Just before it landed, it spread out its wings as an air brake, hovered for a moment, and finished the kill. Whether perching adorably or hunting voraciously, I could watch this bird all day and consider it a day well spent.
I live grateful to God for the chance to witness and share His artwork and humbly remain His scribe.
Say's Pheobe
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: February 8, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₁₀₀₀ sec at f/7.1 ‒ ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 320
 Black-throated Gray WarblerThe Southern Arizona High Desert might not have the variety of Warbler species that migrate through my old home grounds on the east coast, but what we do have is every bit as beautiful. The Black-throated Gray Warbler is an example of this. A study in contrast, this tiny gray, black and white bird has just one bit of explosive color in its yellow eyebrows. The impact from seeing one straight on is both startling and delightful.
A common summer bird in the western US, they can typically be seen and heard flitting about Pinyon Pines, Juniper and Oak trees of the low elevation riparian forests. We found this one in a mixed flock of Plumbeous Vireo and Yellow-Rumped Warblers at the Patagonia lake campgrounds.
I've heard it said that art is a form of communication and the goal of the artist is to show the world as seen through their eyes and felt in their soul. For me, that would mean expressing the wonderful creation of God as I experience it in my wanderings. I remain His scribe.
Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄₈₀₀ sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 400
The Southern Arizona High Desert might not have the variety of Warbler species that migrate through my old home grounds on the east coast, but what we do have is every bit as beautiful. The Black-throated Gray Warbler is an example of this. A study in contrast, this tiny gray, black and white bird has just one bit of explosive color in its yellow eyebrows. The impact from seeing one straight on is both startling and delightful.
A common summer bird in the western US, they can typically be seen and heard flitting about Pinyon Pines, Juniper and Oak trees of the low elevation riparian forests. We found this one in a mixed flock of Plumbeous Vireo and Yellow-Rumped Warblers at the Patagonia lake campgrounds.
I've heard it said that art is a form of communication and the goal of the artist is to show the world as seen through their eyes and felt in their soul. For me, that would mean expressing the wonderful creation of God as I experience it in my wanderings. I remain His scribe.
Black-throated Gray Warbler
©RGallucci Photography
---
Shoot Date: January 25, 2019
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Aperture priority ¹⁄800 sec at f/8.0 0 EV
Lens: EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM @ 800 mm
ISO: 400
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