Avocets in Flight at Sunrise
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
A Real Head Spinner
I’d get a massive headache if I had to do this while eating. Plus there would be food everywhere.
Taken with Canon 7D and 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4x III teleconverter, mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head
1/160 sec @ F 8, ISO 400, 700mm
Landing Difficulty
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
Yellow Legs
The elusive Yellow Legs can be hard to find and difficult to shoot as they dart around so much. They typically hang out near the weeds along the shore line. Was fortunate to have one very close to me at Bolivar. He was attracted to the area right in front of me when the Snowys and Avocets moved in to feed. Very little cropping on these shots.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III mounted on Skimmer ground pod and Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1250 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1000 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1250 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Avocet Close Ups
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
Snowy Egret Head Shot
Here is a headshot of a Snowy Egret from my last trip to Bolivar Flats. He was too close for anything but a close up at 700mm. Didn’t want to try to take off my 1.4x so I settled for a close up. Had to use negative exposure compensation to keep from blowing out the whites. I used to use spot metering a lot but am switching to using evaluative metering and adjusting the manual exposure compensation to keep the exposures accurate when they move around.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II and 1.4x III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II head
1/1600 sec @ F8, ISO 250, evaluative metering, -1 exposure compensation
Shorebird Jackpot
Hit the jackpot last weekend at Bolivar Flats with my shorebird friends. The morning started out a little boring but ended up with a bang. Tried to get close to a group of Avocets by wading out into the Gulf with my intent to lay down on a sandbar that was still several inches under water. Decided that it wasn’t a great idea with a pricy lens in tow. Moved my position around a couple of times and ended up lying next to a small tide pool area with several Avocets hanging out beyond it. Couldn’t get closer without spooking them so I decided to get into a decent shooting position and wait for them to come to me, I hoped. Was rewarded when one Snowy Egret came into my area to catch a fish. That attrackted several more Snowy’s and other birds. Ended up with having 6 Avocets, 6 Snowy Egrets, 3 Willets and a Yellow Legs within 30 ft of me. They got too close at 700mm and I had to settle for head shots in the end. A great problem to have.
It was a good day with taking 3627 photos. Took a while to sort through them all but ended up with saving 1200 with 146 being potential wall hangers. Here is one of my favorite Avocets from this outing. Only cropped to a vertical shot. More to come…
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4x III teleconverter using a Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/1000 sec @ F 10, ISO 250, evaluative metering, -1/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Willet Feeding
If all else fails, I’ll take photos of Willets at Bolivar Flats. They are the old stand-by that are always around and cooperative. This one was busy feeding on some local vegetation. Made for some cool splashing activity while down at its level with ye old ground pod. Went back to Bolivar yesterday and hit the jackpot. More to come…
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.
1/2000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/2000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1000 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1250 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, spot metering, + 2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Clapper Rail
While taking photos of a Great Blue Heron out the car window at Brazoria NWR, I saw movement out of my left eye. I try to keep both eyes open when shooting just for such an occasion. A Clapper Rail had jumped up on a platform right in front of me. I changed the lens to its minimum focusing distance, changed the aperture to F9 and cranked up the exposure compensation another notch to +1. Ended up getting this full framed photo. Had a hard time seeing him as the morning sun was coming up behind me and shining into the view finder with my glasses preventing a tight seal on the eye piece. Was thrilled to get any shots in focus with 1/100 sec shutter speed. Gotta love the IS on the new 500mm lens. Would have been good to crank up the ISO but I couldn’t see the setting in the view finder. He only stayed around for about 20 seconds but it was a fun 20 seconds.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II, 1.4x III teleconverter, hand-held out the car window
1/100 sec @ F9, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +1 exposure compensation, 700mm
Like Feathers Floating on Water
While the tide rolled in, the feathers on the sand bar around me floated away and helped to highlight this Willet. I didn’t want to move with this Willet being so close so I got a little wet as well. Stayed in place until the water got above my ground pod. The biggest issue with laying in the salt water is that it streams off of your coat sleeves when you get up and can run all over your camera equipment. My Lenscoat raincoat helps to keep the gear dry.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II, 1.4x III teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/500 sec @ F 7.1, ISO 500, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
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
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
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
Tim Timmis Photography 
