BIF Practice with 1DX

Finally getting back in the saddle, so to speak, with wildlife photography after taking a few weekends off to help my daughter move into her new apartment.  Family comes first but it felt great to be back out at Bolivar Flats yesterday.  Got the opportunity to get some BIF practice with my 1DX.  It works much better than my 7D with maintaining focus on flying birds.

This shot of a Long Billed Curlew was taken from my ground pod, which is always a challenge with the short-range of motion while lying down.  He gave me a nice wing spread and catch light in his eye.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X teleconverter

1/1000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation

The Black Skimmer experience was a first for me as I got buzzed and circled by two Skimmers.  While walking back to my car, heard the distinctive barking of incoming Skimmers.  Took my camera off of the ground pod and got ready for some flight shots.  Was surprised when the skimmers flew towards me and then circled very close three times before flying further down the beach and landing.  Apparently they like me lying down better.

1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

This photo of a Common Nighthawk was taken after getting back to my car.  Spotted the Night Hawk flying around in a field as I was putting my gear away.  Grabbed my camera and got several minutes of flight shot practice as he circled around the field.  They fly very erratically catching bugs so it was a challenge to keep him in the view finder.  Used all focus points, which helped with this shot as he was flying towards me.

1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation