Ellen wanted to photograph small birds for a while. She knew a trail by the admin office and salt marshes. She was driving…
As we pulled into the parking area a small ‘tank’ was off to the side tearing up a manicured lawn. It’s what makes them so endearing to home owners in the south.
I had a dilemma. Small birds with Ellen or an armored mammal causing havoc.
The Armadillo is related, but not closely, to Anteaters and Sloths. They are actually the last remaining species of their family.
I was convinced this heron would grab a small minnow here.
Each time I thought he was ready another quick shutter press. Shooting high speed that means a minimum of three photos.
He never went for the minnows, I had a large number of this bird…exactly like this. 😊
Roseate Spoonbill in a low rookery branch.
He didn’t mind a paparazzi nearby.
Decent look at the odd shaped beak of a Spoonbill. A perfect adaptation for how they feed.
This actually happens much more than you would think.
All ended well.
Walking down a trail at a local swamp I noticed this Great Blue frozen in place. He was doing his best to be invisible.
Truth is he was standing maybe 10 feet off to my right as I walked by. Taking this shot I did the ‘no eye contact’ trick. It worked. He never moved and I walked right by.
These photographs show only one of the many flocks of White Pelican that took over this salt marsh.
We learned from other photographers later that day, only a half hour before, no Pelicans. In about 2 hours, they all left.
We hit the spot at the perfect time.
Ellen always reminds me it’s all about timing, that we have no control over. I think that’s how she keeps me moving.
I had seen him fly under the moss and land out of sight. He just didn’t come back out.
I’m not great at waiting, and of course the Great Blues are. However, as I was about to give up he jumped out heading back to the rookery trees.
As a reward he flew right by giving me time to get these.
Great Blues are so darn elegant in flight!
This last shot is a nice example of what the swamps, and these birds, are like.
They must have a totally different concept of ‘being comfortable’.
