Coots, Moorhen and almost BIF

BigAl

I went off to the local bird sanctuary to see what was on offer (and of course to practise with my 75-300mm and the monopod).

Redknobbed Coot



Darn things chased away all the ducks...



...but there was a baby around in spite of it being winter.



Then there was a Moorhen (which wouldn't stand still)



But I had to look for the egret (called Little Egret here)



...and just to prove he's got two legs, an almost BIF


They're not as sharp as I was hoping, but I need more practise at adjusting the monopod.

regards
alan

bfjr

Nice detail in the first shot on the blk feathers
I like the last one as well, take offs and landings are cool shots I think

jwear

They're not as sharp as I was hoping, but I need more practise at adjusting the monopod. As told by everyone that shoots egrets as the words ev wb a s ect float in our head as Ben said the first shot is great and all the others are good very hard to shot them in or about to be in flight ducks are really good

Harryb

Hey Alan,

Good shots especially the first and last shot. Those coots are hard to shoot because of the white bill and dark body. You handled thee xposure on the first shot perfectly.

Dee

I just discovered coots
a couple of years ago at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

I didn't know there were other varieties like the two you posted!

Good photos, those ducks and coots do move fast! I love the feet on the coots, don't know how they manage to swim without the webbed toes, but they get around just fine.

Steve Cavigliano

Alan,

I agree with what the previous posters have written. Really nice work on the coots Also liked your snowy egret Looks like you were just about to get a BIF butt shot.....lol Very nice exposures of some tough to expose birds

Steve

BigAl

bfjr wrote:

Nice detail in the first shot on the blk feathers
I like the last one as well, take offs and landings are cool shots I think

Thanks Ben. The take off was a total accident - just happened to have pressed the button at the right time (although I'm not supposed to say that ).

regards
alan

BigAl

jwear wrote:

They're not as sharp as I was hoping, but I need more practise at adjusting the monopod. As told by everyone that shoots egrets as the words ev wb a s ect float in our head as Ben said the first shot is great and all the others are good very hard to shot them in or about to be in flight ducks are really good

thanks Jeff.

regards
alan

BigAl

Harryb wrote:

Hey Alan,

Good shots especially the first and last shot. Those coots are hard to shoot because of the white bill and dark body. You handled thee xposure on the first shot perfectly.

Thanks Harry - more like beginner's luck (even though I've passed the 1000 shot mark on my Canon!)

regards
alan

BigAl

Dee wrote:

a couple of years ago at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

I didn't know there were other varieties like the two you posted!

Good photos, those ducks and coots do move fast! I love the feet on the coots, don't know how they manage to swim without the webbed toes, but they get around just fine.

Thanks Dee. Don't worry, you're going to be seeing many more strange birds once I get into the field

[edit]Dee, if you look at the coot's toes you'll see little flaps along each toe. These serve as webbing for the coot (and for crakes and rails). It's actually more efficient than full webs such as those of ducks and geese as the resistance is less on the return stroke.[/edit]

regards
alan

BigAl

Steve Cavigliano wrote:

Alan,

I agree with what the previous posters have written. Really nice work on the coots Also liked your snowy egret Looks like you were just about to get a BIF butt shot.....lol Very nice exposures of some tough to expose birds

Steve

Thanks Steve. I got quite a few coot butt shots yesterday. They kept diving as I took the pic

regards
alan

Ric Grupe

Those feet!
Very cool.

Wonder how the expression "old coot" was derived?

Wait...I just looked at MY feet!!! I think I get it now.:D

BigAl

Ric Grupe wrote:

Very cool.

Wonder how the expression "old coot" was derived?

Wait...I just looked at MY feet!!! I think I get it now.:D

Ric

Thanks for looking
regards

alan