Reddish Egret in Morning Light
It’s been a banner year so far with Reddish Egret’s being in abundance around my neck of the woods in SE Texas.
Recently went on a quick trip to a south Texas ranch for some bird photography from photo blinds. I’ve got over 10,000 photos to go through. I’ll start posting some of those hopefully next weekend.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1600 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
White Morph Reddish Egret Fishing
This white morph reddish egret put on quite a show during my field trip to Bolivar Flats for Galveston’s FeatherFest. Too bad it was cloudy but I’ll take that over rain any day.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter
1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/800 sec @ F13, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/1000 sec @ F13, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/800 sec @ F13, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/800 sec @ F13, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Field Trip Participants Down Low
Here are some of the group that went with me to Bolivar for FeatherFest. With the high tide, we spent a lot of time on the beach. Thanks to Caren Mack for the last photo of yours truly. Send me an e-mail if you would like a larger copy of your photo.
FeatherFest “Birds Eye View” Field Trip to Bolivar Flats
Took a group of willing photographers from Galveston’s FeatherFest to Bolivar Flats on Friday morning for some down and dirty action while taking photos of shorebirds on my “Birds Eye View” field trip. Several members of the group had never been to Bolivar before so it was going to be a treat if the weather and birds cooperated. The weather forecast was bleak up until the morning of the shoot. Instead of forecasted thunderstorms, we were met with clouds, waves, light winds, temps in the low 70’s (deg F) and very high humidity. Along with lots of gnats. It didn’t look very promising when we turned onto the beach as there were waves and no sandbars or birds in sight until we got to the parking area. Spotted some birds further down the shoreline so my hopes were raised.
We started out at the first small sandbar sticking out from the shoreline to practice the technique of getting down low and eye level with the birds. There were several ground pods being used in the group along with a few tripods. There were a few Willets, Terns and Sanderlings in that area but nothing overly exciting. Spent a few minutes there and moved on down the beach to try to get close to a group of Black Skimmers.
Aperture priority, 1/400 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
There were lots of Skimmers hanging out at our next stop. We got as close as I felt that we could without spooking them and ended up with some good photo op’s of the Skimmers taking off and landing back at the same location.
Aperture priority, 1/3200 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Further down the beach, I spotted a Reddish Egret standing near the shoreline. We made him our next objective and got into position, hoping for some fishing action. He then just basically stood there on one foot looking around and occasionally squawking. After a while, I mentioned to the group that we could stay and wait for him to move or go back to the Skimmers. He then quickly took off and headed back up the beach past the Skimmers. My initial reaction was that he took off because I stated talking. However, he ended up flying off to confront a White Morph Reddish Egret. Reddish Egrets are very territorial and don’t like company when feeding.
Aperture priority, 1/500 sec @ F 9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2 exposure compensation
We got up and heading back up the beach towards the Reddish Egrets. The White Morph was dancing around fishing so I focused on getting close to him. We ended up with some great photo op’s as he was very close to shore and catching lots of fish. Some of the group stayed with the other Reddish Egret and had a similar experience.
Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F 11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
It turned out to be a great morning at Bolivar despite the cloudy weather. The group had a good time and hope that they got some great photos. Didn’t get them quite wet or dirty enough but they got a good taste of the possibilities at Bolivar Flats. Thanks to everyone who signed up for this trip and to Chris for helping me out. I’m looking forward to next year already.
Also, special thanks to Julie Anne Brown and her team of volunteers for all of their hard work to pull off another very successful FeatherFest. They do all of the hard work and I get to take people to play in the sand.
Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F 11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Galveston’s FeatherFest this Week
Galveston’s FeatherFest annual birding event will be taking place this week. This will be my 4th year leading some of the field trips and workshops. Had a great time last year and am looking forward to it again this year.
They have over 100 activities this year and there is still room in some of the photography events, especially on Thursday, so I encourage you to check it out.
Nebraska Sandhill Crane Migration
Made my second annual trip to Nebraska to see the Sandhill Crane migration along the Platte River in Nebraska. Had a great time last year and had to try again. It was peak timing with over 200,000 Sandhill’s estimated to be in the area. Worked a 20 mile stretch of dirt back roads south of the Platte river east of Kearney, NE for 2 1/2 days. Only had one day of sun but it was tough shooting during mid-day with the sun out. It was a little chilly in the mornings with temp’s in the 20’s (deg F).
One lesson learned was that I should have taken my beanbag on this trip as my arm got worn out with handholding my 500mm lens out the car window for most of the trip. Took my tripod but didn’t use it as I opted to hand hold my 100-400 lens while on the railroad bridge over the river at sunrise and sunset. Ended up getting some decent sunset shots that I’ll post later.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
This Sandhill was being praised as he was getting ready to stick the landing.
1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Mating dances were going on all around me, which was fun to capture.
1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Some Cranes would pick up corn stalks from the ground and through them up into the air. Got several shots of this behavior.
1/1250 sec @ F13, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Tim Timmis Photography 