Seeing Double
The American Avocet is a simply stunning bird to watch. Between their markings and movements, you may find yourself hypnotized for a while. When you catch the l...
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The American Avocet is a simply stunning bird to watch. Between their markings and movements, you may find yourself hypnotized for a while. When you catch the light just right, their reflections are wonderful.
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Apr, 2016Views
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Awards
Winner in Shorebirds Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Superb Composition
All Star
Superior Skill
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
This was taken in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in Davis, CA. I'm very fortunate to be less than 30 minutes from this wonderful wildlife area. It is my go to location for local wildlife shooting. No matter how many times I go there, it is never the same twice. With year round activity for many types of animals, it is perfect for endless exploration and photography opportunities. Being part of the migration flyway for many birds, the seasonal variety of birds to see is simply amazing.Time
This was taken mid afternoon on a Spring day. It was very nice out with some clouds to filter the light, but still allow for some great reflections.Lighting
When shooting wildlife, there is not always a lot you can do with the light other than choose what time you are out and what light conditions you are willing to work with. I enjoy being out in nature, so I tend to not worry too much about the time of day. I will often go anytime I can get away, regardless of light conditions. This happened to be a very nice spring day with just enough clouds to filter the light, but still allow for some great reflections in the water. With colorful birds like this, it is easy to have the colors washed out in bright daylight.Equipment
This was actually one of my first "test trips" with a new to me Canon 1Ds MkIII. I didn't buy it with the intention of using it for this type of shooting, but it has become my go to body for most wildlife. Although it's an older body at this point, the image quality is truly amazing. While I am in this wildlife area, more often than not, I'm using my car as a blind. The animals, and especially birds, tend not to care as much about me shooting from the car versus getting out to get a better view/angle. Better to get a shot from the car, then no shot because they flew away. I used my Canon 100-400 L series lens, with a Canon 1.4x extender for this. For added stability, I used my Really Right Stuff monopod. This makes for easier shooting and cleaner shots all around. When shooting out the passenger window like I did on this shot, I have the monopod in the cup holder between the front seats.Inspiration
Watching water birds like this is simply a joy to me. The way the American Avocet feeds, they use a sweeping motion across the water to suck up food, then squirt the water back out. It can be almost hypnotic to watch them, and can make for wonderful ripples in the water. This was fortunate timing catching the water squirt out. Most people don't get to see these types of things in nature, so having an opportunity to share the beauty of nature is my constant inspiration.Editing
This image actually has very little post processing. I use LightRoom, PhotoShop, and the Nik Collection as my primary processing tools. For this image, a small crop was done in LightRoom and some basic cleanup in PhotoShop. The water in this area often has plant material floating around which detracts from the focus of the image. These are part of my PS cleanup process. The majority of the post processing was done with the Nik Collection. I enhanced the structure of the feathers a bit in Viveza. Color/contrast/tones were adjusted in Color EFex. Final adjustments were made in LightRoom before exporting.In my camera bag
My bag is pretty consistent. My Canon 7D is always in it, and I've recently added a used Canon 1D MkIII as a full frame option. The 1Ds has become my go to body for most shooting in my primary areas of wildlife and nature. These two bodies give me a huge amount of flexibility, and ability to really look at the shooting conditions. Sometimes I may want the 7D's 10fps to capture the right instant of an egret taking flight, or for it's video capability. Other times I may want the color depth and added details the 1Ds provides. I have two primary lenses. My "walking around" lens for the 7D is a Tamron f3.5-6.3 16-300 VC. The range it offers, combined with the image quality, is simply amazing. As a general shooting lens, it has never failed me. My "wildlife" lens is my Canon EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS. I can't say enough about how great it is for wildlife, and works equally well on both the 7D and 1Ds. I also keep a Canon 1.4x III Extender handy for use with this lens. For the 1Ds, my walking around lens is a Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6, which is great for many types of shots. Past that, spare batteries for both bodies, polarizer for each lens, 1-8 ND filter for the Tamron lens, a remote trigger for most tripod shots, and spare 64GB cards just in case. Although not "in my bag", I have a ProMaster XC525 tripod, and a Really Right Stuff MC-34 monopod with the MH-02LR head, which are generally in my trunk ready to go.Feedback
More than anything else for shooting wildlife and for this type of shot... patience. Birds are both methodical and patient in everything they are doing. You have to be even more patient than the bird. Learn their behaviors so you can anticipate what they may do next. You just have to watch and get a feel for them. Many birds also have patterns. If they are interrupted, and move or fly away, there is a good chance they will be back where they were in 5-20 minutes. Sometimes you just have to wait them out. Depending on the area and situation, using your car as a blind can be a huge advantage. It does limit your options on angles though. But again, often a shot with a not perfect angle, is better than no shot at all. Stability with a monopod or tripod is something many people don't try. I can handhold my camera when needed, but I know I will get a cleaner shot, with better details, if I can use my monopod. Move slowly with the birds if you can, and think about what the shot may be from a couple feel left or right. Often, it's a totally different shot, which may be better. Watch out for what may be in the foreground and background. Try to be sure there is nothing that will detract from the final image.
