Some different stuff today(no herons)

[NorthernFocus]

Tides are wrong for the wading birds right now plus it was pretty windy. I had also noticed that a bunch of red-winged black birds(RBB) showed up around here in the last couple of days. So I decided to see if I could get the iconic shot of a RBB hanging on reeds/cattails. I did find them but other critters got in the way as well. So I'll bore you with them too

All shot with D500, 200-500mm w/1.4x TC, handheld.

1) First, it was the warmest day we've had in a while and the gators were enjoying it.



2) They really have a sinister looking eye.



3) I can never pass up shooting anything swimming in beautiful water.



4) When they catch a fish you have to shoot quick. First you have to locate them when they pop up from their dive. And they swallow the fish immediately so another bird doesn't come steal it from them. So half swallowed was the best I could do. It looked like a bass.



5) While I was around the water I captured an obliging grebe. They are typically very shy but this one hung around while I was stalking RBBs. And the water and light were nice so what the heck.



6) And I did get an RBB albeit not the exact shot I envisioned. When they are simply sitting the red patch on the wing is barely visible. When the call they partially extend the wings revealing the red shoulders.

[GBO25]

Nice series again. I like the alligators although I certainly wouldn't get too close. 500mm with teleconverter would be my minimum I think as long as I was in a vehicle and ready to move.

I'm assuming the last one is the red winged blackbird made a little more famous through the Dr Hook song.

[Mike Buckley]

The first alligator photo is one of the nicest I remember seeing. There is very little glare, so I have to ask if you used a polarizer.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Craigie]

A great series Dan. #2 is awesome.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you guys enjoyed the post.

Graham, that would be the same bird as in the song. Though I had to Google it.

Mike, no polarizer. I had thinly filtered light coming over my shoulder and the beast had been laying there long enough to be quite dry. The second shot was a much smaller gator taken a couple of days ago when we had blue skies(therefore the blue reflected on the surface of the water). I'd not let a large one get that close to me.

[AlanBeesley]

Nice set Dan.

Just how close to the Gators did you get

[Wavelength]

There is no words to express my awe feeling seeing your quality images; i like all of them terrifically

[NorthernFocus]

...Just how close to the Gators did you get

Estimating the FOV(horizontal) in the first shot to be 2.5 to 3 ft with 700mm on a 1.5x crop camera would put me somewhere between 20-25m from the critter. At the time when looking through the lens is seems a lot closer

The second one was just a little guy, maybe just over a meter long. The shot is cropped a little bit so I was probably 8-10m from it.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Nandakumar, you are too kind. My sentiments are the same regarding your floral shots.

[bnnrcn]

I love them all Dan, especially the gator shots

[AlanBeesley]

25m is 100m too close for me

Estimating the FOV(horizontal) in the first shot to be 2.5 to 3 ft with 700mm on a 1.5x crop camera would put me somewhere between 20-25m from the critter. At the time when looking through the lens is seems a lot closer

The second one was just a little guy, maybe just over a meter long. The shot is cropped a little bit so I was probably 8-10m from it.

[IzzieK]

Alligators...crocodiles....same species to get away from. I think my mindset will say Alligator: Florida; Crocodiles: Australia.
Both are sinister looking...

Beautiful shots with nice commentaries. I should say, I was more entertained than bored. Your story can be categorized as beating around the bush... the grebe is a cutie...

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

25m is 100m too close for me

Proximity to water makes a big difference. And keeping something between him and you

..I should say, I was more entertained than bored. Your story can be categorized as beating around the bush...

You certainly have a way with words, Izzie. I think that's what we call a back-handed compliment.

[Saorsa]

Alligators...crocodiles....same species to get away from. I think my mindset will say Alligator: Florida; Crocodiles: Australia.
Both are sinister looking...

Beautiful shots with nice commentaries. I should say, I was more entertained than bored. Your story can be categorized as beating around the bush... the grebe is a cutie...

We actually have a few Crocodiles in Florida. They are usually seen along the Gulf Coast up to about Tarpon Springs.

[IzzieK]

We actually have a few Crocodiles in Florida. They are usually seen along the Gulf Coast up to about Tarpon Springs.

But my brain doesn't think of crocodiles in Florida because it is more known for alligators, killer alligators. OK? Whereas Australia and Crocodile Dundee goes hand in ears, ya know....