Monthly Archives: February 2019
Here’s Odd
This is, admittedly, a somewhat odd photo. I was walking down Limpkin Way at Orlando Wetlands Park, perpendicular to the birding trail and there was this Great Blue Heron standing on the dyke ahead of me. I took a few shots and walked closer. And it just stood there. So I took a few more shots, and walked, and it stood. I was close enough so that I had to zoom back to fit the bird in the frame, and then I went for a head shot at full telephoto. Of course just then it jumped into flight and all I got was its head and a piece of a wing in the frame. The crop is what seemed most effective. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/1000th @ f5 @ ISO 100. -.3EV. Processed in Polarr.
Wood Stork in a tree
Yesterday I posted a Wood Stork feeding from Orlando Wetlands Park, but the first Wood Stork of my last Florida trip was actually standing tall in a tree beside the road at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, near the Visitor Center. I pulled off in the chigger grass and walked back to get the shot. This is a juvenile, as you can tell by the feathers on the back of the neck and crown. Sony RX10iv at 535mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/1000th @ f6.3 @ ISO 100. -1EV. Processed in Polarr.
Wood Stork and Snowy Egret
There is a difference between walking the dykes at Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas Florida and driving the dykes at Blackpoint Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island, or even the dykes at Viera Wetlands in Viera. You might not actually be any closer to the birds, but its is definitely a more intimate experience. I came up on this odd couple feeding together as I was walking back down Bobcat Alley toward the main birding trail at Orlando Wetlands. They were working a patch of water plants just out from the shoreline in the angle between the two trails…close enough so they made a nice composition in a 600mm frame. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/1000th @ f5.6 @ ISO 100. -.3EV. Processed in Polarr.
Pelican in flight
One morning on Black Point Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida, a small group of White Pelicans flew pretty much directly overhead. I was able to catch a few as they passed over. It was a good opportunity since the light reflected from the ponds illuminated the underside of the wings, which otherwise would have been in heavy silhouette. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds in flight and action modifications to Program mode. 1/1000th @ f4 @ ISO 100. +1EV exposure compensation (to help with the wings). Processed in Polarr.
Anhinga
At Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Florida, the Anhingas have taken to drying their wings on the ground. Other places I see them generally in trees or on old palm trunks, or tucked into the mangroves at least…but at the Orlando Wetlands they just haul out at the edge of the pond and spread themselves to dry. And they are not particularly disturbed by humans. I walked right by several and they did no more than crane their necks at me. They were not in full breeding plumage yet when I visited, but coming on toward it. This bird shows the full wing pattern of black and white. Sony RX10iv at 327mm equivalent (so I was really close). My birds and wildlife modifications to Program mode. 1/640th @ f4 @ ISO 100. Processed in Polarr.
Roseate Spoonbill in Flight
I posted a shot from this Roseate Spoonbill flyby experience a week ago or more…we were photographing a mixed feeding flock of waders in one of the pools along Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, just past the turn by the rest area, when a group of Roseate Spoonbills flew in, one at a time. It was an opportunity not to be missed. I switched to my Birds in Flight and Action memory, and caught several of the birds as they came by. This one was close. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. 1/1250th @ f8 @ ISO 100. -1EV. Processed in Polarr. Such wings!
Proud as a Crane
Okay, yes, I do know it is “proud as a peacock”, but this Sandhill Crane is certainly looking proud. This is from my close encounter with Sandhills at Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Florida, where, if you remember from previous posts, two Cranes walked down Bobcat Alley with me for 50 yards for more, just keeping company. It was quite an experience. Sony RX10iv at 190mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/1000th @ f4.5 @ ISO 100. Processed in Polarr.
Florida Scrub Jay
This Florida Scrub Jay at the Helen and Allan Cruickshank Reserve in Rockledge, Florida was as bold as only a Florida Scrub Jay can get…feeding practically at my feet. You can see the band on his leg. The Florida Scrub Jay is one of the most studied and carefully managed species in Florida, perhaps even in the US. If you look closely, you will see that someone, someone who did not read the prominently posted signs and/or is totally ignorant of, or disrespectful of, the law, has been scattering sunflower seeds to attract the small flock of Scrub Jays who inhabit the sanctuary. Not cool! In my experience Florida Scrub Jays are so curious and so friendly that they will come to humans without the inducement of illegal feeding. Of course, I may have always benefited from someone else’s disobedience. Hard to tell with Florida Scrub Jays. Anyway. this is a proud and apparently healthy specimen. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/250th @ f4 @ ISO 200. Processed in Polarr.
Stand tall for Snowy Egrets
Snowy Egrets are among the most elegant of egrets…among the most elegant of wading birds. This shot shows one standing tall and showing off from the crown of its head to the tips of its yellow toes. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville, Florida. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications of Program mode. 1/1250th @ f4 @ ISO 100. Processed in Polarr.
Such big feet!
The first Purple Gallinules I found at Orlando Wetlands Park in Christmas, Florida were on the wrong side of the dyke, moving against the sun, all but silhouetted. Tricky exposure, but with some +EV and some creative post-processing (including some luminance masking in Polarr), it was possible to get the shots, and bring out most of the color in the birds. I like this one because it shows the amazing foot of the Gallinule…made for walking on floating water plants. Sony RX10iv at 600mm equivalent. My birds and wildlife modifications to Program mode. 1/320th @ f4 @ ISO 100. +1EV. Processed in Polarr.