Snowy Egret Landing
Saw this Snowy Egret flying in my direction from a distance. Didn’t have time to lay down but was able to keep him in focus while I dropped to my knees in an attempt to not spook him while standing there. It must have worked as he landed right in front of me with wings outstretched. I did lay down after he landed but was only able to get one shot before he took off.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens, handheld
1/4000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, no flash
Peregrine Falcon Take-Off
Another Trip to Bolivar found the tide going out, calm water, no wind and 39 deg before sunrise. I ended up over dressing and got a little toasty except for when my boot started leaking while wading through the water. It was a beautiful morning at the gulf but very few birds were within shooting distance except for a large flock of white pelicans. All of the Avocets were along the jetty. Spent most of my time during the pre-dawn and golden hour time frame shooting flight shots.
While walking along the beach on my way back to the car, two Peregrine Falcons flew by and landed near me. Made my way over near them and laid down to shoot. The smaller one didn’t stick around very long and flew off. The other one was much more cooperative. My initial shots weren’t any good as I was too low compared to his position and the bottom of his tail was cut off in my shots with the sand on the beach. Raised up on my elbows to try that perspective and it still wasn’t high enough. Decided to move my position to get a better shot. Ended up walking back along the beach a few yards and then up to his level in front of him. Luckily he didn’t spook and he let me lay down again. After preening, they typically stretch out their wings out for a few seconds before taking off. This time he took off without warning in my direction. Luckily I was focused on him and ready to shoot. Got off several shots before the buffer filled up and he was going past me. Good times again at Bolivar.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod.
1/1000 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1000 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1600 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1250 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1250 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
2012 Start from Bolivar
Made my first trip to Bolivar in 2012 last weekend and the new year is looking good so far.
Got there before the sun came up and it was partly cloudy with very little wind and very calm water. I really wanted to wade out into the Gulf with the calm water but heard something that would be blocking my way. Got out of the car and immediately could tell that there were lots of Avocets near by as I could hear them but couldn’t seen them. Once it started to lighted up, found several hundred of them right in front of me along a sand bar just beyond the barricade posts. Walked along the posts to try to hide my approach and then slowly walked to the shore line and laid down. That is where I got the first shot of the Great Blue Heron in silhouette. Didn’t stay in that location very long as all I was going to get was a line of Avocets. My goal was to somehow work my way around them to get some non-silhouette shots.
Moved to the west and then slowly walked out into the water to the first sandbar to get closer to them and get a better angle. Stayed there for a while and then got up and moved further out to the next sandbar between two groups of Avocets while trying not to spook them. Made it and was able to lay down again and wait for them to come to me, which they eventually did. Patience pays in bird photography. Got some of the last almost full frame shots from that position. Haven’t got my dream Avocet shot yet but the year has just started…
All taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens with Skimmer ground pod
Tim Timmis Photography 