RWBB Close-up
This Red Winged Blackbird got his close up taken with my 500mm + 1.4x attached. He was too close for a fully body shot and I got this full framed shot instead. Taken handheld out the car window at Brazoria NWR as I was going back and forth between openings in the weeds at one of the ponds while shooting duck/Avocet photos. I’ve never had good luck with getting a decent RWBB shot so I’m pleased with this one. My 500mm lens is sharper than my 100-400 and the IS works much better so I’m having a blast using it.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x teleconverter.
1/200 sec @ F8, ISO 400, +1/3 exposure compensation
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
Caracara Portrait
Spent Saturday morning at Bolivar Flats and found the best photo-op on the way out in my car. This Caracara was on the beach and flew to a fence post when I drove along the beach. Luckily had my camera in the seat next to me and was able to get a few shots before he was scared off by another car driving by.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens, 1.4X III teleconverter, hand-held out the car window.
1/1250 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Jet Car
Got a front row seat along the fence for Wings Over Houston on Sat. Got up close and personal with the Air National Guard jet car. A little loud but an interesting photo op.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens
More from Wings Over Houston
A couple more batches of airshow photos and I’ll be back to birds, I promise. These shots were taken from the south side of the airfield along hwy 3 on Sunday. It’s always great to see the F22 Raptor. Needless to say, I took a few photos over the 3 days.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II
Where there is Fire, there is Smoke..
I always get excited when the gas bombs start going off during the Tora Tora Tora portion of the Wings Over Houston airshow. Where there is fire, there is smoke, which leads to some interesting photo op’s. Tracked this Zero as he was heading through the smoke and was barely visible. When adjusting the color using curves in Photoshop, tried setting the black point even though nothing was showing black. It darkened the scene dramatically and led to this photo.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens, hand-held
Shutter priority, 1/320 sec @ F18, ISO 200, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
Incoming Japanese Zero
Here is my favorite Zero shot from Wings Over Houston airshow on Friday. Taken from along Hwy 3 near the end of the runway. I like the straight-on perspective, the tilted wings and that you can see the pilot. It was a cloudy day but it works for this shot. This is the only authentic Zero at the show. The rest are mock-up’s from the movie Tora Tora Tora. The 500mm lens makes a great airshow lens when you aren’t too close to the action.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II, hand-held
Shutter priority, 1/320 @ F16, ISO 400, +1 exposure compensation
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, 
Blue Angels Turn and Burn at Wings Over Houston
The Blue Angles put on another great show at the Wings Over Houston airshow this year. Spent the afternoon on Friday along Hwy 3 near the end of the runway. Hand held my 500mm lens for about 3 hours, which was a good work out. The biggest challenge was keeping it steady with the high winds. I like the different angles that you can get from this location. Spent Saturday along the flight line near show center but just got the typical airshow shots. Here are some of my favorite Blue Angels shots from Friday. Most of these are full frame with very little cropping. It was time to turn and burn…
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens, handheld
Shutter priority, 1/320 sec @ F14, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Aperture priority, 1/2000 sec @ F4.5, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering
Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering
Fish Scared Out of the Water
This Willet appears to be proud of himself with scaring 2 fish out of the water as he is contemplating which one to catch. Had a little golden light action going on at sunrise. More good times from Bolivar Flats in Texas.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
Pelican
Sometimes you get the shots where you can. This Pelican photo was while sitting in my car on the Bolivar Ferry. I was too tired and covered with sand from my trip to Bolivar to get out of the car. Treated this shot like a bird in flight shot by using positive exposure compensation due to the bright sky causing the camera to darken the scene.
Can’t tell if he is laughing at me or ready to eat me…
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm IS II lens with 1.4x III teleconverter, hand-held
aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation.
Full Frame Wood Storks
Here are some more Wood Stork Photos from Brazoria NWR. These are full frame shots without any cropping. Having 700mm to work with instead of my old 100-400 has been very sweet. These very large birds go through a lot of trouble for such a little meal, as seen in the last photo.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens, with 1.4x III teleconverter hand-held out the car window.
Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 250, spot metering
Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 250, spot metering
Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 250, spot metering
Aperture priority, 1/2500 sec @ F8, ISO 250, spot metering
Marbled Godwit
This Marbled Godwit had just stuck his beak into the sand and started walking away when I got this shot. He was spitting out the sand and it formed small droplets off of his beak. Close to a full frame shot taken while laying down with my ground pod on a sand bar.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II, 1.4x III teleconverter, skimmer ground pod, Wimberley II gimbal head
1/800 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
All Puffed Up
This little shorebird got all puffed up when she realized that there was paparazzi nearby. Show-off. Had a great time at Bolivar Flats on Friday. No one was around and there were a few exposed sandbars to lay on with the tide going out. Felt right at home and in the groove with the new lens, which isn’t so new at this point. After 2 months, it’s got several thousand pictures under its belt. Just getting it broken in by now.
I’m loving the Lenscoat Raincoat, which works great at the beach for keeping sand and salt water off of the lens. http://www.lenscoat.com/lenscoat®-raincoat-p-1506.html
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/500 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Wings Over Houston Article in Texas Explorer Magazine
My latest article in Texas Explorer Magazine is about Wings Over Houston airshow, which is coming up the last weekend in October. The article will give you some tips on the logistics of going to the airshow and taking photos of the planes. They are just like big birds that are easier to track than a red winged blackbird. If you use birds in flight photography techniques, you will get some great shots. Below is the link to the article.
Wood Storks from Brazoria NWR
The Wood Storks were out in force on this trip to Brazoria NWR. There were about 15 of them hanging out when I got there and another 10 showed up later. Some stayed in the back of the pond and others would walk around feeding and got very close. It was fun to watch and shoot. Got some full frame shots at 700mm with my 1.4x that I’ll post later. I’ve seen Wood Storks at a distance before but never this close up. Was a very good time. Went back again for the next two weekends and never saw them in numbers like this or as close up.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4x III teleconverter out the car window.
1/2500 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering
1/2000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering
1/2500 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering
Gettysburg at Sunrise
Had the privilege of visiting Gettysburg for a leadership seminar. It was led by Colonel Cole C. Kingseed, US Army, retired, former Chief of Military History at the US Military Academy at West Point. They did a great job of preserving the battlefields and had the opportunity to walk from Seminary Ridge to Cemetery Ridge, across the battlefield where Picket’s Charge took place. It was a very surreal experience.
I went a day early to get a chance to take some pictures, of course. Spent the first afternoon going to the visitor center and scouting out the area in preparation for shooting at sunrise the next day. Got to Cemetery Ridge just before sunrise. It was interesting to be there at sunrise with no one else around. Took several photos as the sun was coming up and then walked out on the battlefield where Picket’s Charge took place. It was a very interesting but humbling experience to say the least. I can’t imaging the courage that it took to cross that battlefield on July 3, 1863. Being there puts the history books into a little more perspective. A very moving experience.
Got my best photos in the early morning golden light, as always. Did get one bird photo that I’ll post later. Just wish that I would have had more time and a few more mornings to shoot. Good excuse to go back again someday.
You can see more of my photos from Gettysburg on my web site under the “History” gallery: http://www.timtimmis.com/History/Gettysburg/25484802_z3Qrcp#!i=2099796373&k=M8CcbMC
These photos were taken with my Canon 7D and Canon 100-400 lens, handheld. The wide-angle shots on my website were taken with my Canon 17-40mm lens.
Statue of General Webb with the sun rising behind it.
1/8000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -2 exposure compensation
Horse drawn carriage used for canon supplies that was glowing in the morning light
1/400 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1 exposure compensation
Taken from the battlefield just in front of the union line at Cemetery Ridge. The tall grass was glowing at sunrise. Had to crank back the exposure compensation to -2.
1/6400 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -2 exposure compensation
There was a hint of fog in the air and the morning dew was everywhere. Made for a cool look on the canons. Zoomed in tight on this canon wheel and you can see the depth of field at F5.6.
1/320 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -2/3 exposure compensation
View approaching the union lines on Cemetery Ridge. A little lens flare for added effect. I was going to try to clone it out but kind of like the look so left it in.
1/8000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1 exposure compensation
Nature’s Halloween Mask
Mother nature was a little cruel to Wood Storks. Their face would make a great Halloween mask. Their feet are a little gnarly as well. This photo was taken about a month ago from Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. Got some full frame shots as well. More to come…
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4S III teleconverter, handheld out the car window
1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 250, spot metering, 700mm
Fish Racing
This Reddish Egret was trying to catch a fish but didn’t notice that he had scared another one out of the water right beside him. Let the fish racing begin! Taken at Bolivar Flats while laying down with my ground pod.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4x III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/640 sec @ F7.1, ISO 500, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, 700mm
Space Shuttle Endeavor Taking off from Ellington Field
Got a front row seat for the final lift off of Space Shuttle Endeavor from Houston’s Ellington Field. Parked along hwy 3 at the end of the runway along with several hundred of my friends before sunrise and stood on the railroad tracks just outside the fence line. The first plane to launch was a commercial jet that took off to the east, in the opposite direction from where I was standing. Was a little worried that the shuttle would take off in that direction as well until a NASA jet took off towards me. On que, the 747 with Endeavor attached took off at 7:00 a.m., a little before sunrise. It was very cool to see, to say the least, including feeling the heat off of the 747’s engines.
Since it wasn’t fully light out yet, had to crank up the ISO to 1600 to get enough shutter speed. Was hoping that it would make a fly-by but alas it didn’t. It turned south and circled but went well north of Ellington, heading for downtown Houston.
Good bye Endeavor…you should have stayed 😦
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 100-400 lens, handheld.
American Oystercatcher Close-up’s
I thought that this trip was going to be a bust. Headed to Bolivar flats before sunrise and found high tide, no exposed sandbars and waves in the gulf. Also forgot to put my rubber boots back into the car. Listened to my gut and turned the car around and headed to the Texas City Dike to look for my Oystercatcher buddies. It took some searching but I found one of them in the usual spot walking along the edge of the dike looking for, guess what, Oysters. Got lucky as he found one in my line of sight. Was able to get another shot of one walking in my direction, which is always a cool perspective. The morning turned out better than anticipated. It’s always good to have a plan B in mind when heading out to the field.
Had the 1.4x attached and got almost full framed shots. Considered taking the teleconverter off as I was almost too close but didn’t want to take the time and lose more shots.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III teleconverter out the car window, setting lens on my bean bag
1/1000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1250 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Peeking out of the Sand
Caught this small shorebird hanging out at Bolivar Flats. He was checking me out as he was looking for food. Looks like he might be a Dowitcher but not sure. Got to Bolivar about 1/2 hr before sunrise and headed out along the shoreline. There were a few sand bars exposed near shore but not many. Got some silhouette shots as the sun came up and then concentrated on some Willets and these small shorebirds. Taken from the prone position while using my ground pod. Started getting a nasty headache after one hour of shooting from that position but it was worth it. Need to get my body used to being in that position again.
I’m finding that the easiest way to carry my gear around is to carry the lens in one hand and the ground pod with Wimberley head/flash bracket in the other. It balances the weight out better than trying to carry the lens attached to the ground pod. I’ve been keeping the flash bracket attached and leaving the flash off to use it as a handle to carry the ground pod around.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head.
1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 250, partial metering
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 250, partial metering
Long Billed Curlew in Flight
This Long Billed Curlew was flying right at me and my 7D did a good job of keeping focus and tracking the action. My old 40D would not have been able to get the second shot. The positive exposure compensation helped to keep this from being a silhouette. The Willet seemed to like the show.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/640 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Pelican Silhouette
This brown Pelican was cruising by as I was taking some low-level Willet shots at Galveston’s east beach. I should have switched from Willet to Pelican silhouette mode as he swam towards the sun reflecting off of the water. I’d normally use evaluative metering for silhouette shots but had the camera set on spot metering instead. It still worked as the spot metering helped to darken the scene even though my exposure compensation was set at +2/3.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head.
1/1000 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 500, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Reddish Wings
The Reddish Egret saga continues from Bolivar Flats. Here are a couple of photos of a Reddish Egret is full fishing mode. They are very animated with spreading their wings out to scare the fish. These full frame shots were taken while laying down in the sand with my ground pod. Had to crank up the exposure compensation on this one with the bright background of the water causing the camera to reduce the exposure. Always have to play with the exposure compensation while using Aperture priority to get the proper exposure. Becomes second nature after lots of practice.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II, 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head.
1/800 sec @ F7.1, ISO 500, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
1/800 sec @ F7.1, ISO 500, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
Tim Timmis Photography 
