Peeking out of the Sand
Caught this small shorebird hanging out at Bolivar Flats. He was checking me out as he was looking for food. Looks like he might be a Dowitcher but not sure. Got to Bolivar about 1/2 hr before sunrise and headed out along the shoreline. There were a few sand bars exposed near shore but not many. Got some silhouette shots as the sun came up and then concentrated on some Willets and these small shorebirds. Taken from the prone position while using my ground pod. Started getting a nasty headache after one hour of shooting from that position but it was worth it. Need to get my body used to being in that position again.
I’m finding that the easiest way to carry my gear around is to carry the lens in one hand and the ground pod with Wimberley head/flash bracket in the other. It balances the weight out better than trying to carry the lens attached to the ground pod. I’ve been keeping the flash bracket attached and leaving the flash off to use it as a handle to carry the ground pod around.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head.
1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 250, partial metering
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 250, partial metering
Tim Timmis Photography 
Two beauties, love the light. Ahh, will have to give it a try in carrying it in two sections. I really wish I could screw on my monopod to my ground pod. This way I could walk the long distance with out wearing myself out. When I get close to my intended area I can remove the monopod and retrieve it on my way back.
September 14, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Thanks David. Large lenses do have their challenges but worth the extra effort.
September 15, 2012 at 10:05 am