Wildlife Refuge

[DonnaK]

Yesterday, my husband and I drove over to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge for their monthly auto tour to checkout the waterfowl migration. This refuge is over 5,000 acres on the shore of Lake Erie and is just a wonderful place to visit. Over half of it is closed to the public except for these monthly tours. You are driving on top of the dikes that separate the huge water pools full of migrating ducks, swans, geese, etc. There were thousands of waterfowl and everyone had their binoculars and spotting scopes out. We watched pintails, hooded and common mergansers, grebes, coots, gulls, shovelers, etc. There were also several active eagle nests far from the roads as not to be disturbed.

I took my camera, but didn't use it that much because of the distance from the birds. It was also cold (28F/-2C), windy and not too sunny. I jumped out of the truck to get some shots and got back in when my hands got too cold.

I tried to get a good gull shot, but they were so fast and I was not. This ring-billed gull is one that I liked.





The Coots were swimming closer to the road.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done on the gull, they are so numerous that you should get more chances to capture.

[DonnaK]

Thanks, John. Yes, they are very plentiful. I'm always working on my BIF shots. I appreciate the comment!

[IzzieK]

Donna they are both beautiful shots...is this all you can share with us? Someone will say, why didn't you wait until the wings of the gull is up before you took a shot, but hey! it is sharp and you got the eye there in focus and the serious look it has...and the coot! I thought the word "coot" is just a swear word, now I know it is a bird...thanks for the enlightenment...

[Geoff F]

I often shoot when the wings are up; but by the time I press the shutter they are down.

One of the few occasions where shooting a burst can be helpful.

However, in this case you have an angle where wings down still looks good.

Getting close enough to birds is always a challenge and I regularly fail even with 500 mm. But we do have a few experts here who regularly get absolutely stunning images with less magnification.

[NorthernFocus]

Both shots are nicely executed. One challenge with those dike drives is that they don't lend themselves to low angles with the swimmers.

[Barbara Ponder]

Donna, I think both shots are good. The gull is in perfect focus which is great, to me that is the hardest part having the wings up will come, trust me I know from expierence

[JamesScott86]

My goodness - stunning images.

[DonnaK]

Donna they are both beautiful shots...is this all you can share with us? Someone will say, why didn't you wait until the wings of the gull is up before you took a shot, but hey! it is sharp and you got the eye there in focus and the serious look it has...and the coot! I thought the word "coot" is just a swear word, now I know it is a bird...thanks for the enlightenment...

Thanks, Izzie, The gulls were faster than I was and those shots with the wings up just weren't all in focus The American Coots were a lot easier

[DonnaK]

I often shoot when the wings are up; but by the time I press the shutter they are down.

One of the few occasions where shooting a burst can be helpful.

However, in this case you have an angle where wings down still looks good.

Getting close enough to birds is always a challenge and I regularly fail even with 500 mm. But we do have a few experts here who regularly get absolutely stunning images with less magnification.

This was the first time I was using this lens and the gulls were a major challenge. I was trying my luck with the cold and wind. This was the next shot and the wings were up, but I didn't like it as well.



I just need lots of practice.

[DonnaK]

Both shots are nicely executed. One challenge with those dike drives is that they don't lend themselves to low angles with the swimmers.

Thanks, Dan. Other than laying down, it's hard to get the swimmers from the dikes. Since I've had both of my knees replaced in the last 17 months, getting down low is not that easy yet I'm just getting back into the photography mode now that the weather is getting better

[DonnaK]

Donna, I think both shots are good. The gull is in perfect focus which is great, to me that is the hardest part having the wings up will come, trust me I know from expierence

Thanks, Barbara. I know that I'll get better with more practice and grab some good ones like you do. I posted a shot with the wings up, but I just liked this one better for some reason. Some of the ducks that were closer to the dikes would take off rather quickly when we approached and I did get a lot of duck butt shots We'll be going back there again and warmer weather will make it lots better.

[DonnaK]

My goodness - stunning images.

Thanks, James. I appreciate your comments.

[Geoff F]

I suspect your wings up shot would look better with a crop from the bottom. Maybe try 5 x 4 ratio?

[bnnrcn]

Beautiful shots

[DonnaK]

I suspect your wings up shot would look better with a crop from the bottom. Maybe try 5 x 4 ratio?

I agree, Geoff. I had too much sky on the bottom. This one is a better perspective.

[DonnaK]

Beautiful shots

Thanks, Binnur. I appreciate your thoughts.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Dan. Other than laying down, it's hard to get the swimmers from the dikes...

Exactly the problem. Some of those drive through type refuges don't permit you to get out of the car other than at specific viewing locations. Also one of the advantages of shooting from a vehicle is that it acts as a blind. So even if one is allowed, inclined, and able to get out and lie on the ground, the birds may not tolerate it anyway. It poses quite the dilemma

I've only visited one or two such places. One of them was in an area that we've thought about moving after we retire. If we do so I think we may have to get on of those mini-vans with sliding doors on both sides. It's not as low as the ground but at least two or three feet of advantage could be gained by lying on the floor with a bean bag for support. That assumes one could enlist a willing driver

[JohnRostron]

Nice shots. I prefer the gull with the wings straight!

John

[IzzieK]

I'd like to add, I have been looking at that cute coot again...this is the 4th time...actually it has that smile on its face, don't you think? Love it...now I am no longer annoyed to be called "a silly coot" in anger.