One lousy day

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited June 17, 2005 in Wildlife
Hi you'll,

Yesterday trish and I went back to St. Augustine. The weather report was great and after the rainy days I had on my last two visits it would be nice to have some light for a change. It was supposed to be a real hot day so I wnet light and only took one camera and two lenses. Since I was using my VR lens and the day was going to be bright I left my tripod and flash home.

The weather was fine on the drive. We stopped for lunch and the weather was fine. We drove to the Rookery and when we got around the curve right before the Alligator Farm it got very dark, very fast. Ahead we could see a line of rain beginning right before the Alligator Farm. In Florida these rains go very fast, usually the last around 1/2 hours. This one lasted the rest of the day, Rain, thunder, lightning. Worst shooting day since the hurricanes. I managed a few shots, most of which i deleted.

the birds' grooming was not good
25169654-L.jpg

tempers were frayed
25169652-L.jpg

It was so bad I was reduced to getting alligator shots at the Alligator Farm.

25169656-L.jpg

25169657-L.jpg

25169658-L.jpg

All the tourist were impressed with the gators, having eaten with Andy I felt it was kind of mild.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    I was expecting that line when I saw this... Laughing.gif
    All the tourist were impressed with the gators, having eaten with Andy I felt it was kind of mild.

    The minute I saw that food snatch I thought... here it comes, and you didn't fail me!

    Sorry the trip was such a disappointment, but I got to watch the alligator feeding for FREE! clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    I can't believe the neck pinching going on with those birds either! How long did that go on?

    I actually like the first bird shot, those feet clutching the branch are scary looking.
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Dee wrote:
    The minute I saw that food snatch I thought... here it comes, and you didn't fail me!

    Sorry the trip was such a disappointment, but I got to watch the alligator feeding for FREE! clap.gifclap.gifclap.gif

    I can't believe the neck pinching going on with those birds either! How long did that go on?

    I actually like the first bird shot, those feet clutching the branch are scary looking.

    I'm getting too predicatble. :D

    The tri-colored heron and the snowy egret were having a territorial dispute. They are both very aggressive birds. They fussed for about 5 minutes with the heron getting the better of it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Phil U.Phil U. Registered Users Posts: 1,330 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Well, bummer that the weather didn't cooperate but you got a couple nice ones. thumb.gif
    -Phil
    http://philu.smugmug.com
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited June 16, 2005
    Harryb wrote:
    Hi you'll,

    Yesterday trish and I went back to St. Augustine. The weather report was great and afetr the rainy days I had on my last two visits it would be nice to have some light for a change. It was supposed to be a real hot day so I wnet light and only took one camera and two lenses. Since I was using my VR lens and the day was going to be bright I left my tripod and flash home.

    The weather was fine on the drive. We stopped for lunch and the weather was fine. We drove to the Rookery and when we got around the curve right before the Alligator Farm it got very dark, very fast. Ahead we could see a line of rain beginning right before the Alligator Farm. In Florida these rains go very fast, usually the last around 1/2 hours. This one lasted the rest of the day, Rain, thunder, lightning. Worst shooting day since the hurricanes. I managed a few shots, most of which i deleted.

    the birds' grooming was not good
    25169654-S.jpg

    tempers were frayed
    25169652-S.jpg

    It was so bad I was reduced to getting alligator shots at the Alligator Farm.

    25169657-M.jpg

    All the tourist were impressed with the gators, having eaten with Andy I felt it was kind of mild.

    Harry, it was so nice to see your images in something besides lovely daylight. Seems like the light the rest of us have to deal with some times.
    I like the softer light of the bird shots too!!

    But I thought the guy feeding the alligators lost his arm to them at first glance!
    :D:D
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

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  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Hi Ya Harry
    Having beaks clamp down on me nearly everyday, I feel for the Egret :uhoh that smarts :D

    Oh and Harry your worst day still beats my best, but I'm workin on it thumb.gif

    If Andy ever gets down by us I'm takin him to din din just to see & shoot the action :lol4 :hide
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  • SeamusSeamus Registered Users Posts: 1,573 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    your lousy day looked great to methumb.gif . I know you prefer the birds to the gators but when I visit the farm / rookery hopefully I will get plenty of shots of both. Those lizards can really jump eek7.gif .


    Seamus.
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    laugh it up old man, laugh it up lol3.gif

    i dig the gbh going after the egret! kewl
    Andy

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  • Steve CaviglianoSteve Cavigliano Super Moderators Posts: 3,599 moderator
    edited June 16, 2005
    Oh Harry, I feel so bad for you. You drove all that way, hit bad weather and all you can home with were these fine shots rolleyes1.gif May I be blessed daily with that sort of bad luck.....Laughing.gif

    I have to agree with ya. If Andy was down there with those gators and that ranger held out a rib, Andy would be standing on gator heads and doing his best Olympic highjump imitation :lol (I had to get even with him, he called me old man yesterday eek7.gif :lol4 lol3.gif )

    Super shots Harry and I don't think the lack of bright light hurt these in the least thumb.gifthumb.gif

    Steve
    SmugMug Support Hero
  • John MuellerJohn Mueller Registered Users Posts: 2,555 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Harry,I wish I would have a lousy day like this:D
    Or maybe even worserolleyes1.gifrofl
    Beautifulthumb.gif
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  • gaylenickgaylenick Registered Users Posts: 71 Big grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Harry

    Sorry, about the weather. Leave it to you to get great shots anyway. I really like the Snowy and Heron fighting. Especially, the wing span on the heron. And...the hungry gators. The big gator that far out of the water, makes me want to rethink leaning on the rail in the rookery to get a shot.

    Hope you have a beautiful weekend, to make up for your rainy trip.

    Gayle
    Gayle
    http://www.georgianick.com
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    lousy day, very funny Harry I can send you lousy .the neck grab is just too good and feeding gators the second one the caption maybe ----SIZE DOES MATTER
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

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  • KirwinKirwin Registered Users Posts: 417 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2005
    Hi Harry,

    A lousy day of shooting is still better than a day of "work", or something like that...ne_nau.gif:D . (Especially if you're with good company.)

    Nice capturesthumb.gif .
    Regards,
    Kirwin
  • Trish323Trish323 Registered Users Posts: 908 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Harry,

    So why such a lousy day??? you got great shots..(even if you had to resort to shooting gators...) Love the shot of with the motion blur on the hand!!thumb.gif

    It was a good day...I always enjoy your company and even more, having you a hostage to answer all of my ignorant photography questions:D Thanks for your continued mentoring..it is very much appreciated!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Phil U. wrote:
    Well, bummer that the weather didn't cooperate but you got a couple nice ones. thumb.gif
    Thanks Phil. The weather sucked but I had good company and managed to get a few decents shots so it wasn't a wasted day. It sure beat going to work. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MuskyDudeMuskyDude Registered Users Posts: 1,508 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Hey, even so, you managed to at least get some good ones Harry. thumb.gif


    AJ
    http://northlight.smugmug.com/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    pathfinder wrote:
    Harry, it was so nice to see your images in something besides lovely daylight. Seems like the light the rest of us have to deal with some times.
    I like the softer light of the bird shots too!!
    Easy for you to say, I was getting rained on. icon10.gif Seriously I like the softer light, just wished I had prepared for it.
    But I thought the guy feeding the alligators lost his arm to them at first glance!
    icon10.gificon10.gif
    Now that would have been a photo op!
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    bfjr wrote:
    Hi Ya Harry
    Having beaks clamp down on me nearly everyday, I feel for the Egret :uhoh that smarts :D

    Oh and Harry your worst day still beats my best, but I'm workin on it thumb.gif

    If Andy ever gets down by us I'm takin him to din din just to see & shoot the action :lol4 :hide
    Thank you Ben. if you ever eat with Andy make sure you have a fast lens. The action can get intense. rolleyes1.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Seamus wrote:
    your lousy day looked great to methumb.gif . I know you prefer the birds to the gators but when I visit the farm / rookery hopefully I will get plenty of shots of both. Those lizards can really jump eek7.gif .


    Seamus.
    Hey Seamus,

    Thanks for the kind words. When you get here let me know and I will show you the hot spots (for birds that is). :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    andy wrote:
    laugh it up old man, laugh it up lol3.gif

    i dig the gbh going after the egret! kewl
    I just don't know City Boy. That was a tri-colored heron going after the egret not a great blue. rolleyes1.gif

    I see I'm gonna have to make you get a copy of Sibley's Guide to Birds. :D
    I'm glad you liked the pic though.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Hey Steve,

    Andy called you an old man!!!eek7.gif I think we make him nervous. I was skinnier than him at his age and you probably had more hair than he has when you were at that age (his hairline is retreating you know icon10.gif). When he gets to be our age its going to be gruesome. lol3.gif

    Thses shots came out Ok it was the other shots that sucked. yelrotflmao.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    John Mueller wrote:
    Harry,I wish I would have a lousy day like this:D
    Or maybe even worserolleyes1.gifrofl
    Beautifulthumb.gif
    Thanks John.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    gaylenick wrote:
    Harry

    Sorry, about the weather. Leave it to you to get great shots anyway. I really like the Snowy and Heron fighting. Especially, the wing span on the heron. And...the hungry gators. The big gator that far out of the water, makes me want to rethink leaning on the rail in the rookery to get a shot.

    Hope you have a beautiful weekend, to make up for your rainy trip.

    Gayle
    Hey Gayle,

    Thanks for the kind words. I have learned to have a healthy respect for gators. One minute they are imitating a log and then at the next minute they are moving at a speed you can't believe.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • SeamusSeamus Registered Users Posts: 1,573 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Harryb wrote:
    Hey Gayle,

    Thanks for the kind words. I have learned to have a healthy respect for gators. One minute they are imitating a log and then the next they are moving at a speed you can't believe.
    It's one way to find out how fast you can run rolleyes1.gif
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    jwear wrote:
    lousy day, very funny Harry I can send you lousy .the neck grab is just too good and feeding gators the second one the caption maybe ----SIZE DOES MATTER
    Hey Jeff,

    I got some good shots but my keeper to cull ratio was really low from the day's shoot. Thanks for the kind and funny response.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2005
    Kirwin wrote:
    Hi Harry,

    A lousy day of shooting is still better than a day of "work", or something like that...ne_nau.gif:D . (Especially if you're with good company.)

    Nice capturesthumb.gif .
    The company was great and anything is better than working. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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