Everything was so flat I went with an extreme with this shot.
The Ibis was perched against a dull sky. They are such strange birds I went with the shot anyway.
White Ibis, B&W
Tag Archives: wildlife
Marsh Scenes
When we get to a marsh or swamp and find many different birds and actions happening, at the same time, it’s easy to just start shooting anything and everything. This means I will have tons of random wildlife shots. I will focus after a bit, but rule 101 says get the shot. Below are a few of the initial ‘get the shot’ images.
1) A Great Egret dropped down as we first entered. He was joining a few others already feeding. I wanted to get my first inflights right away to be sure I had the camera settings correct. I’m not comfortable enough yet with my new gear to ‘set and forget’.
2) A group shot below using the big Pelicans are the main subject. I hadn’t shot the Pelicans since the beginning of the year. They can take off in mass with little warning. So first thought was the Pelicans, but shoot wide enough to catch the Egrets and Wood Storks in the background. I have had times where big flocks took off immediately on seeing me giving me a few initial photos only.
3) Last here was a scene happening just off to my right as I was shooting the other photos.
A Wood Stork was walking away with something he had caught. In the reeds a Great Blue Heron was watching, probably considering his options to steal from the bigger Stork. It never happened, but I was sure it was about to. Looking at the image now, I think he has a stick. The Heron may have noticed that too and skipped his plan.
Out in these marshes when there is a sudden drop in temperatures fish can die off, or at least be stunned. When this happens every critter in the area comes for the free food. I did see stunned and a few dead, fish a little later. Most birds only want fresh kill. Bald Eagles, Alligators, and of course Vultures aren’t so picky.
Images taken in the ACE Basin, Donnelley wildlife area, South Carolina.
Bald Eagles Circling A Marsh
A moving target, circling around us. Not a great angle for me. However when you have Bald Eagles swirling and diving you ignore most everything else.
This particular Eagle made several turns and passes over the open marsh area. I did not catch any close dives to the surface though.
The sudden colder weather stunned some fish in the rice fields and marshes. Not a true fish kill, but enough to attract most every type of local predator.
I counted six different adult Eagles. They may have been more, and the dark juvenile Eagles were with the Vultures so I never even tried to count them.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Great Blue Heron Marsh Flight
Great Blues are always my favorite in flight subjects, good colors, large wings, just a nice series when things work out.
Below the big heron jumped from a marsh and passed across the grasses and pine forest. Open land helped me pan along with him.
This marsh was filled by all types of birds, the Great Blues completely out numbered.
Being solitary birds when the crowds move in they ‘eat and run’.
I shot wide on a number of flight series here. First, I wanted to get the environment, show the where and what. Second, I had read, and been told, Leica zoom lens were stiff. Not having a lot of fast flight practice (got plenty here) I didn’t want to push my luck. Oh, they are stiff, stay that way, but don’t flop around either.
Donnelley rice field, ACE Basin, South Carolina.
First Shots In A While, White Pelicans
I walked past some high reeds and grass to the beginning of an old rice field. This was the first shot of the day, and first of these big guys in almost a year.
I didn’t count the numbers, it was fluid anyway as they came and went. However, at one time there were maybe 50-70 in the marsh and old rice fields.
One of the biggest birds in North America. They are as long as the Trumpeter Swan, wing span like a Condor. Their weight can range between 7.7 and 30 lb (3.5 and 13.6 kg).
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Up Top, Red-shouldered Hawk
Sitting up on top of a dead tree, looking over a swampy wetlands. He did his best to pretend we weren’t there. Down below were all types of snacks. He just needed to be patient.
I never did see him drop down.
On this morning we must have seen at least five different hawks. Only two looked to be a pair.
Great Blue Heron
A Great Blue Heron working his way through a cut at low tide.
The earthen wall behind him will be completely under water when the tide is back in. And, this tide comes in very quick. Once high tide hits there is no fishing here until the water turns again.
White Ibis
White Ibis and somehow still clean.
There is a stretch of back swamp that has become home to a few flocks of Ibis. They poked and dig the shallows for frogs and crayfish. Successful here too.
If you can catch them in an open spot, away from all the branches, they make for interesting photos.