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Posts tagged “Canon 1.4x III

The Making of a Bird Silhouette

Spent last Sunday at sunrise hanging out at the Texas City Dike with tons of birds including Avocets, Black Skimmers, Black Crowned Night Herons and some very cooperative American Oystercatchers.  More on the Oystercatchers later.

While trying to find the Oystercatchers, came upon this Great Blue Heron standing on some rocks.  Thought that I could turn this into a decent shot but knew that the sun reflecting off of the water behind him was going to be a challenge.  From instinct, bumped up the exposure compensation to +1 as the camera’s light meter was going to automatically darken the scene due to the bright background.  Checked the histogram and saw that the bird still wasn’t properly exposed per the first photo below.  It was going to take a lot more positive exposure compensation to be the Heron looking good, which would have really blown out the background.

Instead, decided to turn this into a silhouette shot.  Backed my car up so that the sun reflection was directly behind him.  Lowered the ISO to 100, removed all exposure compensation and let the light meter in my camera automatically darken the scene as it was very bright.  Was very pleased with the result on the first try.  Checked my histogram expecting that a little negative exposure compensation could be needed but it wasn’t.  Another silhouette for my portfolio.

Used the back focus button on my camera to set the focus on the bird and then reframed the shot to get him in the right third of the photo.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III teleconverter, hand-held out the car window using a camera bean bag

Original photo:  Aperture priority, 1/3200 sec @ F8, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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 Silhouette photo:  Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F10, ISO 100, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation

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Galveston FeatherFest 2016

FeatherFest in Galveston, TX was held this past week and it was a great success.  This was my fourth year being a photography event leader with four classroom workshops and three field trips this year.  Had lots of fun and got to meet some great people with several repeat photographers from previous years.  Thanks to everyone that participated.  Special thanks to Scott, Julie Ann, Barbara, the liaisons and all of the volunteers. They made the leaders days go very smooth.

The weather didn’t fully cooperate but the birds sure did.  I was amazed at how well the field trips went with the cloudy and sometimes extremely windy weather.  I’m hoping that everyone on the field trips had a good time and got some great photos.  Can’t wait to do it again next year but my ‘ol body needs a little rest first.

Shore Bird field trip on Friday

On Friday, we had a great time with photographing shore birds on Galveston Island.  Since it was cloudy when we got to the jetty on East Beach at sunrise, I encouraged the group to take blurred photos.  The usual flock of black skimmers launched for us several times, providing lots of practice for birds in flight and blurred photos, some of which are shown below.

We stopped at the east end of the island to see a few boring Avocets, some other shore birds and a cooperative Reddish Egret, which is always a good time.

We then headed to 19th St. pier to check out the Pelicans near the fishing boats.  There were lots of photo op’s of the pelicans and a lone Black Crowned Night Heron.  The colors of the Brown Pelicans were amazing but I ended up converting the photo below to B&W based on the texture of their perch and their wings.

Taken with Canon 1DX with Canon 100-400 II, handheld

Black Skimmers:  Shutter priority, 1/10 sec @ F 16, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Black Skimmers:  Shutter priority, 1/10 sec @ F 16, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Willet:  Aperture priority, 1/500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure

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Brown Pelicans:  Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation.  Converted to B&W using NIK Silver Effects Pro (which is now free!!)

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Ground Level Photography field trip on Saturday

On Saturday, it was off to Bolivar Flats for some good old fashion down and dirty bird photography using ground pods.  Even though it was supposed to be low tide, the high winds from the south drove the surf to near the shore line.  However, there was a flock of Avocets right next to the parking area and we enjoyed some great photo op’s.  After about an hour, we got up (thankfully from my body’s perspective) and went down the shoreline to another group of Avocets and Royal Terns.  We laid down but there was a ridge of seaweed blocking the view of the birds.  We were cutting off the legs of the birds in our photos.  With no other good option, we practiced doing some belly crawling to try to get on a higher section of sand adjacent to the water, with limited success.

The shooting wasn’t ideal so we headed back to our original location as there were no other birds in sight down the shoreline.  Unfortunately, the Avocets spooked and flew away before we could get into position.  I instructed the group to lay down and wait for them to come back as it was a good location, considering the conditions.  The Avocets didn’t come back but a Reddish Egret ended up landed right in front of us.  It was very sweet.  He put on a very good show for us, although he was too close for me at times at 700mm, which is a good problem to have.

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

American Avocet:  1/640 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Reddish Egret:  Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation

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Reddish Egret:  Aperture priority, 1/500 sec @ F11, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation; full frame shot

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Reddish Egret:  Aperture priority, 1/640 sec @ F11, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, + 1 2/3 exposure compensation

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Ground Level Photography field trip on Sunday

It was obvious going into the weekend that Sunday was going to be challenging with the weather forecast of storms all day.  Got up at 3:30 a.m. to check the radar with no rain in the Galveston area, which was very good news.  However, it was raining off and on during on my drive to Galveston.  Made the 6:00 a.m. ferry and met the group on the Bolivar side.  I was hoping for the best based on Saturday’s outing but it was very windy (20 to 30 mph), which is usually a kiss of death at Bolivar Flats for birds being along the shoreline.

The first challenge hit when we turned onto the road to the beach and found that it was flooded.  Put my boots on and walked the road with Kevin and confirmed that there was only a few inches of water on the road.  We found the second challenge when we got to the beach and found that the beach was flooded and we couldn’t make it to the “flats”.  What could have been a major bust turned out to be a great outing with finding a couple of Oystercatchers, several Avocets and a Reddish Egret along the shoreline near the entrance to the beach.

We geared up and got down and dirty with our ground pods.  Always leery of getting too close and spooking the birds, I kept the group back a ways to start.  We then ended up belly crawling closer pushing our ground pods along in the sand.  I could tell that Kevin was really getting into it as he ended up in the water ahead of the rest of the group.  We eventually caught up with him and enjoyed some good shooting.

Then the third challenge hit when someone pulled up in a car with two kids and walked very close to the Reddish Egret to collect shells along the beach.  Some people have no clue.  The Terns scattered but luckily, the egret didn’t fly away.  I’ve learned over the years to not get too angry at clueless people but to take advantage of the situation.  Seeing that the Egret was more interesting in feeding than people, I got the group up and we shifted to be closer/more in line with where the egret was feeding.  It was a very good move as we were able to get very close to him and he ended up walking right by us at one point.

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

American Avocets:  1/640 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Reddish Egret:  Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F11, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, + 1 1/3 exposure compensation

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Reddish Egret:  Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, + 1 1/3 exposure compensation.  Full frame shot with being cropped to vertical format.

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High Hopes Dashed…Activated Plan B

After a tiring work week, it was a challenge to drag my old carcass out of bed early on Saturday.  However, calm winds in Galveston coaxed me out of bed at 4:00 a.m. and I headed to the gulf coast.  The last two trips have been less than stellar with the tide being too low, which spreads out the birds with Avocets nowhere to be found.  Had high hopes on the way to Galveston with seeing the distant water vapor from Texas City plant stacks going straight up with no wind.  The clouds were a gorgeous pre-dawn red color as the ferry approached Bolivar.  All promising signs.

Geared up in my waders and headed out across the flats as the sun started to break over the gulf.  That sight in itself made the trip worthwhile.  Found a flock of Avocets nearby.  Walked slowly towards them and laid down in order to not spook them.  Started belly crawling to get closer when some birds to my left took off.  Looked behind me and saw two wade fisherman walking along the shoreline, which is not a good sign for getting good bird photos.  As anticipated, they ignored what I was doing and walked out into the water and headed straight towards the Avocets, per the photo below.  Needless to say, my Avocet high hopes for the day were dashed.

With my prime targets flying away, had to come up with a plan B.  After looking around at my options, decided to move closer to the water line and wait it out, hoping that the birds would return.  No Avocets but the Willets and a Yellowlegs cooperated for me.  Frustration turned into some decent shots and incentive to go back again another day.  A slow morning at Bolivar is 100 times better than sitting at home.

On the way back to the car, got a chance to talk to a couple of other bird photographers, which is always a good time.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod and Wimberley II gimbal head.

My original target – flock of American Avocets

Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1/3 exposure compensation

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My two new best friends…

Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1/3 exposure compensation

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Willets with some nice crossed beak action

Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation

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Yellowlegs checking me out with some direct eye contact

Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, + 1 exposure compensation

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Elegant but Sad

I really like the elegant curved wing position of this Royal Tern photo but my feelings are tempered by the scene that unfolded before Newton and I on this outing.  While lying on the beach at high tide taking photos of Terns and some smaller shore birds, this Royal Tern appeared in front of us flapping his wings in and out of the water trying to make it to shore.  He eventually made it to dry land but appeared to have an injured leg.  We couldn’t see any obvious reason for his injury.  Very sad…

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

Aperture priority, 1/2500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation

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White Pelican Line-up

These White Pelicans were feeding close to my position and provided a nice line-up to photograph.

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

Aperture priority, 1/640 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Reddish Egret

Found this Reddish Egret hanging out close to the car while walking back from seeing the Peregrine Falcon per my last post.  He walked along a sandbar and turned to check us out and then continued on his way.

It was later in the morning so the light was harsh but he still made a good photo op.  Had to crank up the exposure compensation on the second shot to keep it from becoming a silhouette with the sun behind him.

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

Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 2/3 exposure compensation

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Peregrine Patience

Made another trip to Bolivar Flats on Friday with Sheldon to see if we would have any better luck with finding birds than on our last trip.  It was very low tide again with some wind but not too bad.  While walking out to the sandbars just before the sun came up, I spotted what looked like something sitting on a piece of PVC pipe that was sticking out of the sand.  Taking a look through my camera revealed a Peregrine Falcon perched on the piece of pipe.

We slowly walked towards him and laid down on the sand.  We were very patient with this Falcon in order to not spook him before we got closer.  We ended up spending 2 hrs watching him and crawling closer.  He faked us out several times by stretching his wings and doing his duty but he never took off.  He may have spent the night sitting on that pipe by the way that he was acting.

It was challenging to keep focused on him for that long and my neck/back/arm got very sore along with my right hand falling asleep.  Ended up rolling on my side several times to rest my neck and stomach.

We knew that the photos of him sitting on the pipe wouldn’t be very good with the unnatural perch so we waited very patiently until he took off.  He was facing into the wind and we were laying in front of him hoping that he would fly towards us, however he took off in the opposite direction.  It was disappointing but it’s always cool to see one of these birds and sometimes you have to take what you can get.  My old body is still paying the price from that outing with a very sore back/neck.

Luckily we found a more cooperative Reddish Egret on our way back to our cars.  I’ll post some photos of him later.

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, 1/1250 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, 700mm

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Clapper Rail

While taking photos of some Willets, this Clapper Rail came out from the weeds and surprised us.  He then walked straight towards us and turned left right while coming very close to where we were lying, which resulted in only minor cropping on the last two shots.  Helped to prove the point that birds don’t recognize you as a person while lying down with a ground pod.

These Rails usually stay close to the weeds for cover so it was very cool to see this one out in the open.

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

Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F9, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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B&W Pelican

This Brown Pelican was coming in for a landing and filled the frame.  The colors were very muted so I converted it to B&W.

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

Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Little Ones

I’ve learned not to ignore the little shorebirds while lying down.  They can be a challenge to photograph as they move around quickly but they can be very photogenic.

When they are standing still, I’ll use a single focus point but change to all focus points when they start moving, if they are close enough.  Getting direct eye contact is always a favorite pose.  Preening can also reveal some interesting photos.  These were taken on a cloudy day so the ISO had to be cranked up to get a decent shutter speed.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III telconverter

Aperture priority, 1/500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

Snowy Plover

Snowy Plover

Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation

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End of 2015 = Peregrine Falcon + Avocets

2015 ended on a high note with my last trip this year to Bolivar Flats in Texas.  The sun hasn’t been out much lately in this part of Texas so it was time to shoot in cloudy conditions.  It was great weather to be lying on the wet sandbars at 44 deg F (with waders on of course).  The Avocets were out in mass with several hundred of them hanging out off shore near sandbars.  Found a decent location and ended up crawling closer to a flock of Avocets.  Several more came in to land, which provided some action shots.

Just before getting up to leave, all of the birds took off, which usually means that a raptor is in the area.  Turned to my right and saw that a Peregrine Falcon had landed on a sandbar.  I’ve never seen one land that far from the shoreline before.  Didn’t think that he was going to stick around long so I stayed in place focusing on him while anticipating some lift-off and flight shots.  He obliged soon after and it was a great way to end this outing.

Also it was nice to meet Hal on this trip, a follower of this blog.

Have a great new year everyone!!

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.

Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600 + 1 1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm

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Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, + 1 exposure compensation, 700mm

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Aperture priority, 1/2000 sec @ F5.6, ISO 1600 + 1 1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm

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Reddish Egret in Partial Silhouette

Time to get back to posting some winged subjects with feathers.  These Reddish Egrets were doing their usual dancing around while fishing.  Two partial silhouette shots taken at different locations along the Gulf of Mexico from the beach at Bolivar Flats in Texas.

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

1/1250 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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1/1600 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 1/3 exposure compensation

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Shoot the Moon

On the last day of the Wings Over Houston airshow, hung out with Doug on the north end of the runway.  Thanks Doug.  Got some good close-up photos that I’ll post later.  The moon was out and we tried to get photos of the planes flying near the moon.  Didn’t realize that I had captured this photo until I got home.  It’s a WWII Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld

Shutter priority, 1/250 sec @ F22, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Tern and Burn

I was watching a small group of Royal Terns close to shore when they started to fly away.  Focused on the last one and caught him taking off, flying towards me and making a hard right turn.  Got several shots in this sequence.  This turn and burn sequence was good practice for the upcoming Wings Over Houston airshow.

Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1250 sec @ F5.6, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Brown Pelicans Fishing at Sunrise

Brown Pelicans were out in force last weekend at sunrise along the Gulf coast.  They would come close to shore diving for fish.  Had a blast tracking them as they flew in and dove into the water.  The take-off’s were fun as well.  Good opportunity for some action silhouette 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

Aperture priority, 1/8000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, -2/3 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/2000 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F8, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation

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High Key Reddish Egret Portrait

Went back to Bolivar Flats yesterday to scout out the conditions for a Sunday shoot with a couple of clients.  Thought that it was going to be a major bust when I first arrived.  The tide was up near sunrise and there were no expose sandbars.  Had to work the shoreline which isn’t my preference.  Very few birds to be seen at first but it was still a little dark out about 45 min before sunrise.

Found a group of Skimmers and ended up belly crawling to get close to them, until a couple of wade fisherman walked right in front of me scaring all of the birds away while pulling a wagon behind them with their gear.  Didn’t have time to get too angry as I’ve learned to take advantage of that situation by getting up and quickly moving forward and getting into position.  As anticipated, the birds came back to that same spot and I spend then next 1.5 hrs shooting from that location.

Ended up being much better photo op’s than expected.  Especially when the Reddish Egrets showed up.  While taking photos of other birds, this Reddish landed right in front of me as he was chasing a White Morph Reddish Egret away.  He ran in front of me and luckily stopped to bask in the glory of his conquest with his feathers all puffed out.  He had his feathers puffed out in this position for about 1 second, so I was glad to get this shot.

Glad that I went yesterday as today was a wash out with the rain along the coast.

Taken with a Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4X III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head.

Aperture priority, 1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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The Look

After a couple of hours shooting shorebirds, hiked back to the car worn out and ready to clean up/pack away my gear and head home.  However, this White Morph Reddish Egret was fishing just off shore close to the parking area and he forced me to lay down one more time.  Glad that I’m easily influenced by birds.

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

Aperture priority, 1/1600 sec @ F14, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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Wing Span

Got to practice some flight shots at Dayton, TX while waiting for the Kites to show up.  Found that I was in the flight path of several Great Egrets.  Took my camera off the tripod to get these shots.

Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld

1/1600 sec @ F10, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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1/2500 sec @ F10, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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Raise Your Wings

Fishing action with a White Morph Reddish Egret.  More ground pod action from my last trip to Bolivar Flats.  Converted to B&W using NIK Silver Efex.

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 @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering

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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

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1/1250 sec @ F14, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation

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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

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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

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1/1600 sec @ F9, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation

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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

 

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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

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1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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1/800 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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1/2500 sec @ F 5.6, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, 700mm

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