The Landing
Caught this Snowy Egret as he was coming in for a landing while fishing. He ended up catching the fish but his landing poses made for better photos.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500MM F4 IS II lens with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1250 sec @ F14, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation
1/1250 sec @ F14, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation
The Chase
Made my first trip back to Bolivar Flats yesterday since Galveston’s FeatherFest in April. Took a new client along to show him the ropes of getting down and dirty shooting shorebirds. He got up close and personal with some birds along with the sand of Bolivar. Good job Newton.
It felt really good to get back out there and luckily the tide/winds cooperated, along with the birds. We found the usual suspects, along with two Reddish Egrets and a White Morph Reddish Egret.
Reddish Egrets are very territorial and this one chased a juvenile away right in front of us. Got a series of 64 photos of this chase. Changed to all focus points during the action to make sure that they would stay in focus. Only needed some minor cropping on these shots.
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.
All photos are Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Kite Action
Make my second trip to see the Swallow-tailed Kites in Dayton, TX this morning. Found one in the usual location but this time he was sitting at the top of a tree. He dove off of the tree and soared around and eventually caught up with another Kite. Tried to catch him going past the moon but just missed it.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on tripod
1/1250 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Swallow-Tailed Kites
Found the Swallow-tailed Kites near Dayton, TX again this year. Saw six of them up high with only one of them coming in closer. They catch insects and eat them while soaring with their large wings. Will have to make another trip one of these weekends.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
1/2500 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Crawfish Festival…YCNH Style
Headed to Brazoria NWR on Saturday to check out the Wood Storks. Thanks for the tip Doug. Slept in until 4:15 a.m. (not kidding) and headed to the NWR for some sunrise shooting. The Storks typically aren’t there at sunrise so I had some time to check out the other birds in the area.
Found more Yellow Crowned Night Herons than I’ve ever seen on one spot before, around 100. Most appeared to be juveniles. My first reaction was that I already had too many YCNH shots, until I saw that they were feeding on crawfish. Turned out to be a very good time. Got about 50 shots in this series as he dove in for the catch and eventually flew to the road to chug him down.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld out the car window
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
1/2500 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm
Ground Squirrel Ungrounded
This little Mexican Ground Squirrel put on a good show at Laguna Seca Ranch. It was very cool to see him climb one of the perches and then come get a drink out of the pond.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/640 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/640 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
Black Skimmers at Dow Plant
Made my first trip to the Dow Chemical plant in Freeport, TX last weekend for their annual open house to see some of the 2000 Black Skimmers that are nesting in the middle of their plant. They have one of the largest nesting colonies along the gulf coast and they have done a great job of maintaining the nesting area in an old parking lot in the plant since the late 1960’s.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0503/kac0503-1.html
It’s not an ideal set up for bird photography but it was very cool to see that many Skimmers in one location and get a few photos. They apparently started nesting late this year with all of the rain in SE Texas so there were very few chicks to be seen.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/4000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/2000 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering
1/500 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation
1/640 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation
1/8000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Caracara from Brazoria NWR
It’s been almost 2 months since I’ve taken any wildlife photos so it felt great to break out the camera again last weekend. On my way to see the Dow Skimmers in Freeport, TX, headed to Brazoria NWR to check out the action at sunrise. The NWR had an abundance of water, which leads to fewer photo op’s for shorebirds. Was hoping for some Wood Storks but none were to be seen at sunrise.
My best luck came on the drive into the refuge when I spotted this Caracara along the paved entry road. Had to turn around and slowly approach him with my car. They can spook easily so didn’t want to get too close to him. Took a few photos and then moved closer. He checked out his feathers and flew off to another perch. Tracked him down one more time for the last shot and went further into the NWR.
The sun had not come out yet from behind the clouds so had to crank the ISO up to 3200 to get any decent shutter speeds. Used positive exposure compensation on the first two shots with the bright sky in the background. Used some noise reduction on the second shot but not on the first and last photo. It would be very hard to go back to my old 7D.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld out the car window
1/500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/160 sec @ F8, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/200 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
Northern Cardinal
This male Northern Cardinal was striking a good pose with a clean background.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
The first Flycatcher made a nice landing on the branch and then was dive-bombed by another. The first one held his ground. Taken at Laguna Seca Ranch.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1600 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/2000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
Crested Caracara
During my trip to Laguna Seca ranch, the raptors were scarce at the raptor blinds. However, we did see this Caracara near a pond where he would come for a drink at the end of the day. Captured him taking a drink, flying to a nearby perch and then using it for a good rub down.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/2500 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/3200 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/3200 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/2000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/2000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
Long Billed Thrasher
Long Billed Thrashers showed up at every watering hole at Laguna Seca ranch. They can only be found in South Texas and in eastern Mexico. Lack of sun forced me to break out the flash/better beamer for some fill flash.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation,
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, fill flash @ -3 stops with better beamer
1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, fill flash @ -3 stops with better beamer
Sunset with Canon 100-400 II
While trying to take Sandhill Crane photos as the sun went down, took my own advice of “look behind you as the best shot may be there”. Turned around and found a much better photo of the sun setting along the Platte River in Nebraska. Used negative exposure compensation and cranked up the ISO.
The new 100-400 lens works well and focuses very fast on the 1DX with 1.4 teleconverter. Still not used to the twist zoom yet. Can’t get it to zoom from 100-400 in one smooth twist.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 100-400 II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
1/500 sec @ F14, ISO 5000, evaluative metering, -2 exposure compensation, 140mm
Memorial Day Tribute
In tribute to all that have served, here are some Blue Angels photos from the 2014 Wings Over Houston airshow. The moon was out which made for a cool background.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 100-400 lens, handheld
1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/2000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/3200 sec @ F7.1, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Spiked Green Jay
This Green Jay got a punk rocker spiked hair look after he took a bath.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/1250 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
Painted Bunting – Bath Time
Here are some Painted Bunting photos from my trip to Laguna Seca ranch. This was my first opportunity to see these up close. A member of the Cardinal family, they are tiny little birds but you can’t miss them with those colors. The male is brightly colored and the females are yellow-green in color. They hung out in the foliage and only came out to bathe when we were there.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/2000 sec @ F9, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/800 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
1/800 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering
Trip to South Texas Ranch – Green Jay
Made my first trip to South Texas a couple of weeks ago for some very cool bird photography at Laguna Seca ranch, near Edinburg TX, about 40 miles from Mexico. Thanks again Beth for the invitation. Laguna Seca is set up with several blinds for morning and afternoon photography. My first experience at shooting from a blind, but it won’t be my last as I’ll be heading back there again next year. Our guide, Ruth Hoyt, did an excellent job and I would highly recommend her. It was a slow time of year for Raptors but we did get did get to see several species of birds along with a few ground squirrels that put on quite a show.
We got lucky that the rain held off for the most part but it was cloudy both mornings, which made for some low light conditions. Had to break out the flash/better beamer, which I haven’t used for over a year.
When I told Ruth that my goal was to get some Green Jay photos, she said that wouldn’t be a problem as they were abundant. They showed up at each of the blinds so I was a happy camper.
http://www.lagunasecaranch.com/
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/800 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/250 sec @ F7.1, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, fill flash with Better Beamer (-3 stops)
1/1000 sec @ F10, ISO 3200, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Honorable Mention in Audubon 2015 Photo Contest
One of my Black Skimmer photos from Bolivar Flats was selected as “honorable mention” in the 2015 Audubon Photo Contest. They contacted me several weeks ago and mentioned that my photo had made the semi-finals and that they needed a copy of my RAW file and some info about the photo. I’m thrilled as there were almost 9,000 entries.
Click on the link below and scroll down to the Amateur category to see the photo.
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/may-june-2015/announcing-2015-audubon-photography-awards
My photo got published in the Audubon Magazine with a 2 page spread.
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.
Tim Timmis Photography 