Ft. DeSoto with some friends

[Mitchell]

Got out for the sunrise at the North beach lagoon.

1. The clear, early morning light was beautiful

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2. It's always a great place for an amateur like me. You don't have to worry about backgrounds and the birds are very cooperative.

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3. More important than the birding was my opportunity to finally meet Randy. He's been a photographic mentor for me here on the Cafe for years. Always there with good advice and he elevated my soccer photography over the years. Here's Randy hard at work.

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4. A bonus was a chance to meet another long-time Cafe friend, Allan. He packs some serious glass!

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5. Randy was proud of me when I finally got down in the water.

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6. My favorite from the day.

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[asaya]

Nice Mitch like many of us I have never seen pictures of Randy or Allan two of the Cafe's finest

 

[Palouse]

I thought Randy had longer ears than that! Though he does look pretty darned regal.

Nice set Mitch !

 

[Randy]

great shots Mitch, it was really great to finally meet and shoot with you

outings like that remind me of why I like this place so much, you meet and become friends with really nice people

 

[Allan]

I recognize those birds. Great shots, I especially like #4. I too liked meeting you and seeing Randy again.

 

[McQ]

Nice light for sure, Mitchell! That beautiful golden color is perfect.

Nice that you got to meet Randy and Allan. They do some great work and as you mentioned, share tips freely with everyone here. I've only met Randy (at the Conowingo Dam) and he's a good guy. As you can see, also a person who know what to wear for wildlife shooting!

 

[Mitchell]

Nice light for sure, Mitchell! That beautiful golden color is perfect.

Nice that you got to meet Randy and Allan. They do some great work and as you mentioned, share tips freely with everyone here. I've only met Randy (at the Conowingo Dam) and he's a good guy. As you can see, also a person who know what to wear for wildlife shooting!

Randy was definitely dressed for comfort. Allan was so well camouflaged that I barely saw him! Great guys who obviously know what they are doing.

 

[Palouse]

They do some great work and as you mentioned, share tips freely with everyone here.

Great guys who obviously know what they are doing.

You can all say that again! They are always here for all of us.

 

[dossy]

I love your birds, Mitch! And Randy is in such a classic pose. I'm trying to read Allan's mind! I have to say I'm envious of you guys getting to shoot together. Great experience.

 

[Mike Buckley]

Now I finally get it thanks to the photos of Randy and Allan: the secret to making great photos is to stand around keeping both hands in your pockets.

 

[Palouse]

Now I finally get it thanks to the photos of Randy and Allan: the secret to making great photos is to stand around keeping both hands in your pockets.

While the birds sit safely behind him

 

[Allan]

I'm trying to read Allan's mind!

I have the camera all set up and am wondering why it isn't taking any pictures.

 

[Randy]

I have the camera all set up and am wondering why it isn't taking any pictures.

and I was standing with my hands in my pockets trying the same with my camera, isn't that what Auto Focus and Auto ISO are supposed to do

 

[frdjohns]

Great set Mitch - you really made some nice images there. Sure looks like you guys had some fun, along with some cooperative avian friends. 5 is nice with the grassy bg and 6 is spectacular!

I'm going to be down that way at the end of the month and spend a few days there and the surrounding area.

 

[Randy]

I love your birds, Mitch! And Randy is in such a classic pose. I'm trying to read Allan's mind! I have to say I'm envious of you guys getting to shoot together. Great experience.

Fred and I are back in 2 weeks if you'd like to meet up and shoot

 

[bobbyv]

Proof once again that they'll let anyone in Ft. Desoto. Truth is, while the boys were out in the lagoon using up film, I was in the parking lot breaking into their cars. Nice Marbled Godwit and Reddish Egret to start with. I see a few more Godwits in your backgrounds. Looks like a nice, full tide, morning at the Fort.

 

[polar905]

Nice to see some Nikon Cafe members meeting up - the photos from the session are very good which shows the skill of the people taking the pictures.

 

[gnagel]

Great set and it’s nice to see Cafe members meeting in the field.

So, what’s the best way to clean those tripods after they’ve been submerged in salt water? Is rinsing it with fresh water sufficient or is it necessary to disassemble the tripod?

Glenn

 

[Allan]

Great set and it’s nice to see Cafe members meeting in the field.

So, what’s the best way to clean those tripods after they’ve been submerged in salt water? Is rinsing it with fresh water sufficient or is it necessary to disassemble the tripod?

Glenn

I don"t know the best way - I just rinse with fresh water and keep trhe legs extended till they dry.

 

[Mike Delgado]

I’ll be out tomorrow morning trying to get some pictures. This afternoon was good but clouds blocked some of that good afternoon light.