The Gulf of Mexico was very calm last Sat. at Bolivar Flats.  It’s a rare occurence that I only see once or twice per year.  Makes for some great pre-dawn photo op’s of birds in flight with the nice orange glow before the sun comes up.  Took this hand-held shot while standing about knee-deep in the Gulf while waiting for the birds to fly by.  The slow shutter speed helped to blur their wings.

Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II leans with 1.4X III teleconverter, hand-held

1/13 sec @ F5.6, ISO 500, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm

It can be challenging to get flight shots while laying down with a ground pod.  It’s difficult to keep panning with the birds for any distance since your range of motion is limited in that position.  This group of Avocets from Bolivar were flying near a sand bar with the Gulf of Mexico in the background.  Close to a full frame shot.

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

1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 500,  evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

Sometimes life can make it hard to find a good spot to land.  Same is true in the animal kingdom.

Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4x III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod and Wimberley II gimbal head

1/640 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, 700mm

Here’s what happens when Avocets get too close.  These are full frame shots from Bolivar Flats.  Good times were had by all…me and a few hundred of my bird friends.

Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head

1/640 @ F10, evaluative metering, ISO 250, 700mm

1/800 @ F10, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation, ISO 250, 700mm