One of my first decent bird photos was a Tri-Colored Heron back in 2005 at Armond Bayou. Times have really changed in the past 9 years but I still enjoy taking photos of these birds. This one was taking off at Brazoria NWR.
Taken with Canon 1DX with Canon 500mm F4 IS II and 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld out the car window.
1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation
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
I wasn’t the only one complaining about the build up of seaweed at Bolivar Flats. This Willet was voicing his opinion as well.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1600 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
On my last trip to Brazos Bend State Park, Doug and I didn’t have much luck with birds until we came across this Great Blue Heron that allowed us to get very close. Too close to get anything but head shots, which is not a bad situation to be in. When that’s the case with long necked birds, it’s time to go vertical. Got some photos as he was facing us but kind of liked these POV shots as he was looking away.
Somehow in the move to a vertical shot, ended up moving the dial by mistake and got -2/3 exposure compensation. I’m still not used to having the exposure compensation bar on the right side of the viewfinder compared to my 7D with the bar on the bottom.
Taken with Canon 1DX with Canon 500mm F4 IS II and 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -2/3 exposure compensation (wrong setting)
1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -2/3 exposure compensation (wrong setting)
Here are some more shots of Swallow Tailed Kites from last weekend at Dayton, TX. They use their 4 ft wingspan to soar while catching bugs in mid-air and off of trees. Their forked tail is unique and very functional as they use it like a rudder to steer as they glide along, as shown in the first two photos. They didn’t come out until about 9:00 a.m. so the light was harsh on their white head. My ol’ arms got sore handholding the camera/lens but it was worth it to get some close-up’s of these majestic birds.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
1/2000 sec @ F13, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/2000 sec @ F13, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/1600 sec @ F14, ISO 1250, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/2500 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Spent the last two mornings taking photos of Swallow-tailed Kites in Dayton, TX. This was my first time seeing this bird so thanks David for the tip. Got lots of shots so more to come.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4X III teleconverter
No matter how hard you try, no matter what gifts that you bring, rejection can be a very hard thing…so just fly away, to try again, another day
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
After a not overly productive morning at Bolivar Flats, started to head back to the car but the large amount of seaweed on the beach made me take a detour back off shore to walk along a sandbar, which turned out to be the best decision of the day. Ended up lying down to take photos of a couple of Willets when I heard a non-typical bird for this area and looked up to see this American Oystercatcher circle above me as he was coming in for a landing. Luckily he landed close off to my right. Had to carefully rotate my ‘ol body around without spooking him to get into shooting position. He looked around and then walked away, which allowed enough time to squeeze off several shots. A great end to a good day at Bolivar Flats.
Taken with Canon 1DX with Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/640 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, aperture priority
1/640 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, aperture priority
1/1000 sec @ F10, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, aperture priority
This Willet was gazing into the sunrise while giving it a little leg action. Full frame shot without any cropping from last Saturday at Bolivar Flats in SE Texas.
Taken with Canon 1DX with Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4x teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/2000 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Spent a week in Europe recently on a business trip. This was my first experience at driving in Europe, which went better than I expected. One of my destinations was Ghent Belgium, which has some beautiful architecture. Wish that I could have spent more time there. Didn’t want to lug my DSLR camera around with me so took these photos with my iPhone.
Tim Timmis Photography 
