Saw this Snowy Egret flying in my direction from a distance. Didn’t have time to lay down but was able to keep him in focus while I dropped to my knees in an attempt to not spook him while standing there. It must have worked as he landed right in front of me with wings outstretched. I did lay down after he landed but was only able to get one shot before he took off.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens, handheld
1/4000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, no flash
Another Trip to Bolivar found the tide going out, calm water, no wind and 39 deg before sunrise. I ended up over dressing and got a little toasty except for when my boot started leaking while wading through the water. It was a beautiful morning at the gulf but very few birds were within shooting distance except for a large flock of white pelicans. All of the Avocets were along the jetty. Spent most of my time during the pre-dawn and golden hour time frame shooting flight shots.
While walking along the beach on my way back to the car, two Peregrine Falcons flew by and landed near me. Made my way over near them and laid down to shoot. The smaller one didn’t stick around very long and flew off. The other one was much more cooperative. My initial shots weren’t any good as I was too low compared to his position and the bottom of his tail was cut off in my shots with the sand on the beach. Raised up on my elbows to try that perspective and it still wasn’t high enough. Decided to move my position to get a better shot. Ended up walking back along the beach a few yards and then up to his level in front of him. Luckily he didn’t spook and he let me lay down again. After preening, they typically stretch out their wings out for a few seconds before taking off. This time he took off without warning in my direction. Luckily I was focused on him and ready to shoot. Got off several shots before the buffer filled up and he was going past me. Good times again at Bolivar.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod.
1/1000 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1000 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1600 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1250 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/1250 sec @ F6.3, Iso 400, spot metering with +1 exposure compensation, no flash
Made my first trip to Bolivar in 2012 last weekend and the new year is looking good so far.
Got there before the sun came up and it was partly cloudy with very little wind and very calm water. I really wanted to wade out into the Gulf with the calm water but heard something that would be blocking my way. Got out of the car and immediately could tell that there were lots of Avocets near by as I could hear them but couldn’t seen them. Once it started to lighted up, found several hundred of them right in front of me along a sand bar just beyond the barricade posts. Walked along the posts to try to hide my approach and then slowly walked to the shore line and laid down. That is where I got the first shot of the Great Blue Heron in silhouette. Didn’t stay in that location very long as all I was going to get was a line of Avocets. My goal was to somehow work my way around them to get some non-silhouette shots.
Moved to the west and then slowly walked out into the water to the first sandbar to get closer to them and get a better angle. Stayed there for a while and then got up and moved further out to the next sandbar between two groups of Avocets while trying not to spook them. Made it and was able to lay down again and wait for them to come to me, which they eventually did. Patience pays in bird photography. Got some of the last almost full frame shots from that position. Haven’t got my dream Avocet shot yet but the year has just started…
All taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens with Skimmer ground pod
Got bored on Christmas morning waiting for everyone to get up (yes I wake up at 4:00 a.m. even on holidays) and started playing around on Photoshop with some recent Avocet pictures. Took these in cloudy conditions at Bolivar recently and didn’t like the lighting and colors. I’m a little spoiled with golden light at sunrise. First tried converting to B&W, which I liked better. Then used the “glowing edge” filter in PS5 for the final version.
Happy New Year everyone!
Original color version
Converted to B&W
Converted using “glowing edge” filter
What a difference a little sun can make. Nice change of pace from the cloudy weather lately. Found several hundred Avocets feeding yesterday at Bolivar Flats. The tide was low and it was prime time for Avocet photography. I guessed where they were heading and laid down and waited for them to come to me, which is the best way to get close to these birds. Ended up about 20 to 30 ft from a large group of them as they strolled by. Took this one right at sunrise.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod
1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 500, evaluative metering, + 1/3 exposure compensation, no flash
Here are some of my favorite wildlife photos from 2011. Had a great time in 2011 and can’t wait for what 2012 will hold.
Here are a couple full frame shots of a Wilson’s Phalarope taken at Bryan Beach, TX earlier in the year. My first time seeing one of these little guys. They were moving very fast and darting everywhere. I didn’t know what they were trying to catch until I got home and saw the second photo.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens on Skimmer ground pod.
1/1600 sec @ F5.6, +2/3 exposure compensation, spot metering, ISO 250
1/2000 sec @ F5.6, +2/3 exposure compensation, spot metering, ISO 250
Here are a few Black Skimmer shots from August at Texas City Dike. The Skimmers were nesting and the action would start when one parent would bring fish back to the youngsters. Took these out the car window in the early morning hours. Most are full frame shots.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens
A few months ago, I was invited to teach some workshops at the 2012 FeatherFest in April. I’ve been a major fan and participant in Galveston’s FeatherFest over the past few years with winning a few photo contests along the way, so obviously I accepted the invitation. Thanks Barbara. My workshops will concentrate on what I know best: shorebirds, lighting and getting down low. Below is a summary of what I’ll cover in the workshops.
The FeatherFest website has been updated with registration underway. I’d encourage everyone to check out the different workshops and field trips. Hope to see some of you there!
http://www.galvestonfeatherfest.com/
“Photography from a Bird’s Perspective“
This workshop will show you how enhance your bird photos by getting down to the bird’s level for a more intimate/dramatic perspective. I’ve been using these techniques for the past several years and I’m not satisfied with most of my “standing” shots anymore. You will be amazed at how close you can get to the birds when you aren’t standing up. We will discuss what equipment to use and how to use it to get the best low-level shots. I’ll share some of my favorite local locations that provide great opportunities to try out these techniques. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
“It’s All About the Light”
This workshop will focus on how to get dramatic natural lighting in your bird photos. You will learn how to take advantage of shooting in the “golden hour” and by using back/side lighting and silhouettes. You will also learn how to use fill flash using a better beamer flash extender. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
“Shorebird Photography”
This workshop will focus on taking photographs of shorebirds. We will review what equipment to use and how to use it effectively including getting the proper exposure in-camera instead of relying on post processing software to adjust the exposure. This is critical when taking pictures of white birds. I’ll share some of my techniques and tips on finding the birds, how to get close to them and how to get the actions shots. We will also discuss where some of my favorite local locations are to find shorebirds. Below is the basic agenda for the workshop.
Started celebrating Thanksgiving early this year by heading to Bolivar about 4:45 a.m. before the rest of the family rolled out of bed. The stars were almost completely aligned for this trip except for the sun, which didn’t come out. Low tide and a flock of cooperative Avocets made for a great morning. My goal was to head to my favorite spot for some golden light photos but with no sun and a flock of Avocets near by, a change of plans was in order. The Avocets were about 50 yds off shore feeding next to a sandbar which was still under water by a few inches. Waded out in their direction and got down on my knees to take some initial test shots. Didn’t like what I was getting with being too high and the fact that the birds wouldn’t get close to me unless I was in the prone position. Debated on what to do next as the water was still covering the sand bar. Decided to get wet and laid down in the water in their path as they made their way towards me. My ground pod, which looks like a heavy-duty frisbee, immediately filled up with salt water but the level stayed below my ballhead, except when a few rogue waves came in.
The Avocets would feed and then walk up on the sand bar and then circle back into the water for more feeding. With the lack of sun, I had to crank up the ISO to 1600 for some shots and still had fairly slow shutter speeds so these came out a little soft. Having morning sun would have made all of the difference in the world but you have to take what you can get.
Didn’t try using fill flash initially just in case they got spooked by it. When I did try it, the flash wouldn’t work, of course. I’ve been known to not charge or leave the batteries at home but not this time. Had to take the flash off and put it back on the camera to get it to function, which was a little tricky while laying in water and trying not to let the birds see me. They eventually got very close to me and I had to zoom out to keep them in the frame. Most of these shots are close to full frame with only being cropped for pano’s.
When I stood up, it took a few minutes for my coat to drain from the sleeves before I could pick up my camera to keep it from getting covered in salt water. A little messy but well worth the effort and clean-up.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens mounted on Skimmer ground pod.
1/160 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/160 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/200 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/200 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/200 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, +1 exposure compensation, no flash
1/200 sec @ F5.6, ISO 500, spot metering, no flash
1/500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, spot metering, no flash
1/320 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, spot metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, no flash
Tim Timmis Photography 