BLACKRAPID SPOTLIGHT: Joe Endy

JOE ENDY

Photos By Joe Endy
Wildlife Photographer

I am a 56 year old photographer from Pennsylvania. I used to love to play the drums until spine problems and surgery changed a lot of things for me. I decided to take up photography. I started with a point and shoot and I was immediately addicted!

I ended up getting a DSLR 5 months later and learned as much as I could! I push myself to learn more & more everyday. I love to get outdoors and photograph nature. I enjoy other types of photography, but Wildlife is my passion. My Spine problems limit my exploration, but I always find a way to get interesting shots. Being out in Nature with my camera recharges my batteries from the stress of daily life.

Do You Have a Good Tip for Us?

Since I have worsening spine issues, I find I need to sit more while photographing wildlife. I learned sitting on a stool low to the ground & in camo or a portable blind made a big difference with wildlife coming closer to me.

Also, train yourself to move slowly, especially when raising the camera to your eye. Sudden movements can scare wildlife away, especially when photographing Hummingbirds and other birds.

Eagles In The Mist

My friend Bill and I went to Conowingo Dam in Maryland to photograph Bald Eagles. We arrived early in the morning to beat the crowds and setup at our spot. The dam was at flood stage that day and it was a bit foggy. We thought it was going to be bad, but it actually turned out to be pretty amazing. The eagles were feeding and fighting making for some great action, but the problem was the water was coming through the dam at such a high volume from all the rain we had. The water was muddy and moving fast. I noticed the back area looked like a small hurricane at sea.

There was raging water over the rocks and a mist forming from the large volume of water mixed with the fog . I thought to myself, how neat it would be to get a shot of an eagle as it is flying by all the water turbulence. I aimed my tripod mounted camera at the area and I waited. Finally not 1 but 2 eagles in a chase to steal the others fish flew by. I took a series of shots and was happy to see I got the image I wanted. This photo is still one of my favorites. It is just such a powerful image with the raging water and the 2 eagles in chase.

We were looking forward to going back in April but then the Covid Virus struck and they closed the area to the public. By the time they reopened the area, most of the visiting eagles continued their migration. We are anxious to go again to watch and photograph these magnificent birds in flight but we will have to wait a few more months for the eagles to return. I love listening to the eagles calling when we are there! I think I look forward to hearing them as much as seeing them.

What’s in Your Bag?

• Nikon D500
• Nikon MB-D17 MultiPower Battery Pack for D500
• Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G DX ED VR LENS
• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR Lens
• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens
• Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Lens
• Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III
• Olympus EE-1 Red Dot Sight
• Extra Battery & extra SD cards
• Cleaning Kit
• Speedlights, diffusers & Softboxes
• BlackRapid Nicole Elliott Camera Sling*

*This strap is basically designed for women, but with my spine issues this is the most comfortable strap I have ever used…and believe me, I have tried them all!

I also have a BlackRapid Sport Breathe Adjustable Camera Strap, BlackRapid Camo Sling Strap, and the BlackRapid Breathe Camera Wrist Strap.

Social Media Links

Website –joeendy.wixsite.com/photography
Instagram – instagram.com/photos_by_joe_endy
Facebook – facebook.com/photosbyjoeendy