I went shooting yesterday with a photog buddy. He told me about a GBH rookery which got my blood flowing. I've been suffering from cabin fever lately. Just wanted to shoot.
I was warned it might be wet so I dressed appropriately. Such a vision of loveliness! Here I am, wellies and all, checking to see how deep the swamp gets before lugging the gear through it.
This is what we were after - the rookery. Nests everywhere but in dense trees! Photographers' nightmare.
There was only one place to set up and get a chance of a clear shot of a nest. This is with the 80-400VR, handheld because I was stupid enough to leave the lens foot at home :frown:. Not one of my best shots but it shows you what we were after...
We decided to zip down to the lake and check out the marsh. All the birds were there, singing their little hearts out. The RWBlackbirds were abundant, but shy - they were keeping their distance. This is a 100% crop, not crisp...
We were looking for birds to shoot, and lo and behold, right beside my foot in the dried grasses, I spy a little muskrat having a spring snooze! Nothing seemed to faze him. I even tickled his chin with a reed and he tilted his face upwards, eyes still closed, revelling in the free scratch and acted like a cat!!! It was hilarious! We were far too close to him for the lenses we had on, so I just nabbed this with my little Canon P&S. After a few minutes, he trundled off into the water.
It was so nice to see the signs of Spring coming back to my neck of the woods...
.. and all the little critters were emerging to enjoy the new green shoots....
This little guy was so enthralled with his lunch, he paid no attention to us, no matter how close we inched...
We provided lunch for some of the critters (shameless photography baiting!
)...
The birds were high in the trees, calling for their lady-loves..
... and enjoying a snack or two..
The chickadees enjoyed being hand-fed ....
The light was fading fast so time to head for home. I must admit, after the winter stretching on forever, it was nice to get out and shoot. All in all, I was not thrilled with the results. Nothing "wowwed" me, and I think I'm going to have to include flash and a BB in my gear.....
.... BUT it was so nice to immerse myself into Mother Nature's wonderful Spring display.
I was warned it might be wet so I dressed appropriately. Such a vision of loveliness! Here I am, wellies and all, checking to see how deep the swamp gets before lugging the gear through it.
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This is what we were after - the rookery. Nests everywhere but in dense trees! Photographers' nightmare.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
There was only one place to set up and get a chance of a clear shot of a nest. This is with the 80-400VR, handheld because I was stupid enough to leave the lens foot at home :frown:. Not one of my best shots but it shows you what we were after...
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
We decided to zip down to the lake and check out the marsh. All the birds were there, singing their little hearts out. The RWBlackbirds were abundant, but shy - they were keeping their distance. This is a 100% crop, not crisp...
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
We were looking for birds to shoot, and lo and behold, right beside my foot in the dried grasses, I spy a little muskrat having a spring snooze! Nothing seemed to faze him. I even tickled his chin with a reed and he tilted his face upwards, eyes still closed, revelling in the free scratch and acted like a cat!!! It was hilarious! We were far too close to him for the lenses we had on, so I just nabbed this with my little Canon P&S. After a few minutes, he trundled off into the water.
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
It was so nice to see the signs of Spring coming back to my neck of the woods...
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
.. and all the little critters were emerging to enjoy the new green shoots....
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
This little guy was so enthralled with his lunch, he paid no attention to us, no matter how close we inched...
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
We provided lunch for some of the critters (shameless photography baiting!
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The birds were high in the trees, calling for their lady-loves..
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
... and enjoying a snack or two..
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The chickadees enjoyed being hand-fed ....
Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)
The light was fading fast so time to head for home. I must admit, after the winter stretching on forever, it was nice to get out and shoot. All in all, I was not thrilled with the results. Nothing "wowwed" me, and I think I'm going to have to include flash and a BB in my gear.....
.... BUT it was so nice to immerse myself into Mother Nature's wonderful Spring display.