Riparian Preserve 8.24.10

There has to be something fundamentally wrong with a place that is so hot you sweat at 5:30am - so began my day, standing in the shade of a tree trying to photograph the Goldfinches with sweat running into my eyes and down my back! It is surprising how personal comfort affects concentration and technique - it was something I was aware of as I was shooting and it was re-inforced when I uploaded my images at home. No matter, practice is practice I reckon - and so, here are today's selection:

Goldfinch (Click to enlarge)




















Exif: 1/100", f8, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Eurasian Collared Dove (Click to enlarge)




















Exif: 1/500", f8, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Snowy Egret (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f10, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

White Chinese Goose (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f16, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Dragonfly (Click to enlarge)

Exif: 1/500", f16, ISO 200, 600mm, Manual mode.

Characters...

All the characters were out this morning at the Riparian Preserve; a mallard that sounded like he was laughing maniacally, the Elvis Egret - who had the Elvis knee wiggle down to a fine art, the nervous Snowy - who would try and grab a fish and then run away from it, and the angry Great Blue Heron - who would not let any other bird near him without chasing them off. It was very entertaining watching them all. The weather was not too hot, but the lighting was very tricky - ripples reflected onto the bird made them look like they were wearing striped pullovers and the water seemed to lose a lot of colour today, as you will be able to see in the following selection of shots:

Snowy Egret (Click to enlarge)




















Exif Data: 1/500", f7.1, ISO 200, 420mm, Manual mode, Spot metered, Exposure compensation +1EV


Snowy Egret with fish (Click to enlarge)




















Exif Data: 1/250", f5.6, ISO 200, 420mm, Manual mode, Spot metered, Exposure compensation +1EV


Great Egret watching fish (Click to enlarge)




















Exif Data: 1/50", f5.6, ISO 200, 420mm, Manual mode, Spot metered, Exposure compensation +1EV


Great Egret portrait (Click to enlarge)




















Exif Data: 1/500", f7.1, ISO 200, 420mm, Manual mode, Spot metered, Exposure compensation +1EV


American Goldfinch - Female (Click to enlarge)




















Exif Data: 1/500", f5.6, ISO 200, 420mm, Manual mode, Spot metered, Exposure compensation +1EV