Least Grebe, Estero Llano Grande SP, TX

Taking a break from Germany today. Here is a Least Grebe from Estero Llano Grande SP in Weslaco TX. Shot with the Zeiss PhotoScope 85FL. I was actually chasing a Ringed Kingfisher up and down Alligator Lake…he was on the far side so it was not really a chase, but he did seem aware of me…almost as though he was playing with me. If I put my tripod down, he moved. I never did get a picture of him. However, at one of his perches, this little (Least actually) Grebe was swimming in close on occasion, and I did get him. Oh yes. I got him.

The PhotoScope reaches out to 45x, giving it the field of view of an 1800mm lens. This shot was taken at about 1600mm equivalent for a nice portrait without getting my feet wet.

The bird was actively feeding, above water for only 30 seconds at at time. You can see the water beads on his back.

Zeiss PhotoScope 85FL at 40x, field of view of a 1600mm lens on a full frame camera. 1/115th sec. @ ISO 100. Metered exposure at about f5.6.

Very little processing in Lightroom. Much less added Clarity and Vibrance than I would use on a scenic, and just the Sharpen Landscape preset.

From Zeiss PhotoScope 85FL.

And for you viewing pleasure, a second shot.

Least Grebe again