Avocet at Sunrise

The Avocets are finally back at Bolivar Flats.  It was great to see them again with low tide in the morning, which doesn’t happen until this time of the year.  I almost left without taking any photos based on what I was seeing when first showing up.  About 15 mph winds, waves and no exposed sand bars which is not conducive to decent bird activity at Bolivar.  Decided to stick it out and was glad I did when spotting a group of Avocets feeding near the shore line. Got down on the ground and got lots of full framed shots with the 1.4x teleconverter.

It was about 52 deg F, which is finally cold enough to break out my neoprene waders for laying the in the wet sand.  My bottom half stays relatively dry and warm but I get totally soaked with salt water on my top.  I need to get a water proof coat one of these days.

Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head

1/500 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, 700mm

1/400 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, 700mm

1/500 sec @ F8, ISO 400, spot metering, 700mm