Aransas Refuge Before the Winter Storm

January 25, 2014 lditto

I just finished three days with a group of 5 photographers at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. Of course, we wanted to capture endangered Whooping Cranes (in the camera), but the trip was much more productive than we anticipated as you will see from the photos below.

We only had one good weather day, but we captured many, many images during the photo tour. On the other hand, that’s why we always do at least three days…to improve our chances of getting at least one day with the right light and wind. A monster winter storm blew in just as we concluded our third day of shooting.

Three weeks from now, I will be leading photography tours and workshops in Port Aransas for the Whooping Crane Festival. If you haven’t signed up, do it now before they fill. I look forward to seeing some of you there. If not, maybe at Galveston’s NatureFest in April.

“Thank you” Paul Denman for repairing my WordPress template for the newsletters. All of you Mac and PC users can now open the images by clicking in the upper right corner. That will enlarge and brighten them. Advance through the photos by clicking on the arrow at the right edge of each photo.

Whooping crane flashing his red crown at another crane.

My Canon Mark IV is on its way to Canon for a second attempt at fixing something in the mirror assembly. So, most of these images were done with the trusty 7D and Canon 500 mm IS lens.

Whooping cranes watching photographer while flying over marsh.

Check out those eyes on the lead bird. It watched us while flying across the marsh to challenge a group of juvenile birds feeding in his territory.

Whooper prepping a blue crab for breakfast.

Colorful head of an American Oystercatcher from one of the oyster reefs in Aransas Bay.

Brown Pelican resting on submerged piling in Aransas Bay.

The shot above was done with a Canon 5D Mark II camera, Canon 24-105 mm lens, Gitzo Carbon Fiber tripod, Feisol ball head, electronic shutter release and mirror lockup.

I like to set the shutter speed to at least 1/2,000th second to freeze birds in flight.

Northern Pintail drake with strong tailwind is in high gear.

American Bittern in mid-stride at Port Aransas Birding Park.

Sora using those long toes to walk on floating cattail stems.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are common winter visitors to the Texas gulf coast.

Light on the water after sunset at a northern shoveler swims into the photograph.

So, that’s the end of another great photography trip to the Texas coast. Many thanks to Fulton’s “Hampton Inn” for wonderful accommodations and friendly service.

Special Note: For those of you who really want a change of scene and if you are looking for some new and elegant birds, try Kathy Clark’s photo tour to Costa Rica. It’s coming up soon; get the details at her site ( www.KACProductions.com ).

Larry

Big Birds & Wind-shaped Oaks

January 10, 2014 lditto

Every year for the past decade of so, I’ve been showing photographers how and where to capture images of Texas’ largest bird, the endangered whooping crane. The whooper trip offers a variety of photographic opportunities including water birds and coastal landscapes.

I’m doing two trips this winter, one in December and one in late January. Both were filled, so this is a good time to make your reservation for next winter. The photography, comradery, food and nice lodging at the Fulton Hampton Inn, always leave us eager for the next trip.

Here are some images from the December excursion. If you click in the upper right portion of an image, it will enlarge and sharpen. From there, you can advance to the next image. ** WordPress, which provides this template, is temporarily having problems showing the enlargements through Windows computers. Most Mac computers are enlarging the images with no problems. Of course, I’m hoping someone will come up with a fix in the next few days.

Whooping Crane pair feeding in the shallows of Sundown Bay.

Whooping cranes landing in salt marsh at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas.

Excited Whooping Crane chasing another bird from its feeding territory.

"Backlighting" provided some nice feather color and rim-lighting effects on the 5' tall birds. — “Backlighting” provided some nice feather color and rim-lighting effects on the 5′ tall birds.

One whooper to another, "You can't stay this close while my mate and I are feeding". — One whooper to another, “You can’t stay this close while my mate and I are feeding”.

Part of my job is to get the photographers positioned and ready for that magic moment. Occasionally, some coaching on camera and lens settings are helpful, too.

A half hour of patient observation paid off when the birds gave us great action.

Our afternoons were dedicated to finding other birds and some pleasing landscapes for photo subjects.

These liveoaks have been shaped by decades of coastal winds blowing inland from the bay.

Brown Pelicans are another of the big birds the present good action photography opportunities. — Brown Pelicans present good action photography opportunities on Aransas Bay.

While we try to get the exposure, focus and composition right, it is wing positioning that ultimately determines whether a “bird-in-flight” photo is a pleasing capture.