End of 2015 = Peregrine Falcon + Avocets
2015 ended on a high note with my last trip this year to Bolivar Flats in Texas. The sun hasn’t been out much lately in this part of Texas so it was time to shoot in cloudy conditions. It was great weather to be lying on the wet sandbars at 44 deg F (with waders on of course). The Avocets were out in mass with several hundred of them hanging out off shore near sandbars. Found a decent location and ended up crawling closer to a flock of Avocets. Several more came in to land, which provided some action shots.
Just before getting up to leave, all of the birds took off, which usually means that a raptor is in the area. Turned to my right and saw that a Peregrine Falcon had landed on a sandbar. I’ve never seen one land that far from the shoreline before. Didn’t think that he was going to stick around long so I stayed in place focusing on him while anticipating some lift-off and flight shots. He obliged soon after and it was a great way to end this outing.
Also it was nice to meet Hal on this trip, a follower of this blog.
Have a great new year everyone!!
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.
Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600 + 1 1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, + 1 exposure compensation, 700mm
Aperture priority, 1/2000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600 + 1 1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Tim Timmis Photography 
Thanks for the pictures Tim. I love to see birds of prey and your shot of the falcon is impressive. Happy New Year. Joe
December 31, 2015 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Joe. It’s been a few years since I’ve gotten a photo of a Falcon so it was cool to see him again. Have a great new year.
December 31, 2015 at 7:34 pm
These are all wonderful shots, especially the second shot of the Avocet flock with many airborne. I like your low angle–hope you didn’t get too muddy.
January 1, 2016 at 2:36 pm
Thanks Stephen. I always get covered in wet sand/muck/salt water. The hard part is keeping the camera gear from getting the same. Using a camera/lens raincoat is a must for this type of shooting.
January 1, 2016 at 7:23 pm
Love the falcon shot. Well worth your mud.
January 1, 2016 at 7:33 pm
Thanks Lyle. It’s well worth getting a little dirty/wet every time that I go there. Seeing the falcon again was icing on the cake.
January 3, 2016 at 9:49 am