Reddish Egret Close-ups from Bolivar Flats
After five months, finally made it back to my favorite location for shore bird photography, Bolivar Flats. The high tides in the morning have kept me away but went back today to continue to test out my Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens. Very glad that I went as there was more action than anticipated, including several Reddish Egrets. Used the 1.4x III yesterday at Galveston and today at Bolivar. Didn’t even take the bag along to put the teleconverter in, which ended up being a mistake as one of the Reddish Egret’s was too close for 700mm. Had to settle on head shots several times. Ended up missing some great fishing sequences because that he was too close. Live and learn. The teleconverter worked well but the focus would hunt with busy backgrounds. Ended up using all focus points on the close up shots when he would go for the fish. I’ll post some of the action shots later. I’m going to have some fun with this lens.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III teleconverter, mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley gimbal head. These are all close to full frame shots.
1/640 sec @ F7.1, 700mm, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, AV mode
1/1250 sec @ F7.1, 700mm, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, AV mode
1/800 sec @ F7.1, 700mm, ISO 400, evaluative metering, AV mode
Tim Timmis Photography 
Awesome shots
Welcome to the 700mm club! My 700 is still back ordered :(. Did your lens arrive with the new firmware?
August 12, 2012 at 8:15 pm
So your having fun with the 500mm? Oh yeah! Like the close ups. Keep playing. Still waiting on mine to return. Looks like they received the parts and now in the shop so it shouldn’t be too much longer. Hope to see you out there soon.
August 12, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Thanks Dan. You’re going to love the new lens. Mine came with the new firmware so I didn’t have to send it back.
August 13, 2012 at 5:33 am
Thanks David. I’m having a great time with the new lens. Hope that you get yours back soon.
August 13, 2012 at 5:33 am
Looks as if the new lens is working great. Hope to see ya out there sometime
Fred
August 13, 2012 at 5:47 am
Thanks Fred. It’s been a long time coming but I’m glad that I waited for the new lens as it’s much lighter and I’m not getting any younger. See you at Bolivar.
August 13, 2012 at 8:45 pm