It's the simple things in life ...

davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
edited March 28, 2011 in Wildlife
Kate and I went for a little drive Saturday around the Twin Cities area of Minnesota to get a view of the rising rivers.
But of course, this is the "No Fun" state, and all the roads near the rivers that I wanted to on, where blocked off.

We did manage to get into a few spots that have been good viewing areas for ducks.
I was able to get my first Coot shot, where the bird was out of the water.
I was shocked to see the feet on that critter.
They should be named "Gator Foot"

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After seeing the odd duck, we followed the Mississippi into Minneapolis.
While we were walking along a bridge and viewing the river, a man, seeing my camera and fairly large white lens
says, "Did you see the bald eagle sitting in the tree?"

As he points to where it's sitting, Kate and I make our way over to the area.
About 50 feet away, sitting on a branch that is about eye level with me, sits a transitional bald eagle. (not my term, just one I picked up)
So I bring up the 7D, with the only lens I have with me, a Canon 28-300Lis, and I click away.

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At some point, it starts to look like it might take after one of the ducks on the river below.
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But wait, it's not looking at a duck, it's looking at a large carp.
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It decided that the fish was to large for it to go after, but we hung around for another 15 or so minutes to make sure.

When we left, it was still sitting there, posing for some other photogs.

With a little luck, I'll see him there again before the leaves fill the branches.

Thanks for looking.
dave.

Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.

Comments

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Love the coot shot with the gator feet rolleyes1.gifclap
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Gator feet??? More like some kind of alien feet eek7.gif Always seen them in the water I guess and just assumed they had regular webbed feet. Wow!

    The eagle must not have been hungry. When they're trying to feed the babies in the nest, I've seen them grab silver salmon much to heavy to fly with and have to swim to shore dragging the fish with them.
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • Jack'll doJack'll do Registered Users Posts: 2,977 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Good Lord! an avian Bigfoot :D
    These are great captures Dave with excellent detail. clap.gif

    Jack
    (My real name is John but Jack'll do)
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Excellent captures Dave. Its always a thrill to see a coot's feet for the first time. :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!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    So...the 28-300! I don't recall ever seeing a post where someone was using that lens. I've almost pulled the trigger on that one several times now....but always rationalize the purchase away since I have the 100-400 and a 24-105.

    Still, having that range at your disposal seems very attractive.

    What do you think of it, Dave?
  • ashruggedashrugged Registered Users Posts: 345 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Great thread Dave
    Two very interresting subjects. You gotta love those feet.
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    So...the 28-300! I don't recall ever seeing a post where someone was using that lens. I've almost pulled the trigger on that one several times now....but always rationalize the purchase away since I have the 100-400 and a 24-105.

    Still, having that range at your disposal seems very attractive.

    What do you think of it, Dave?

    I think that it's a very good lens, but, there's always a but, but it's heavy.
    I was all set to use this as my walk around lens, especially after buying the 5DMKII.

    It ended up with the neck strap that I use, I couldn't stay comfortable for long periods with this hanging about.
    So I ended up splitting up the range and bought a 24-105 and a 100-400.
    I normally have to 24-105 on the camera, and the 100-400 in a one shoulder strap camera bag.
    That took a lot of the weight off of my neck.

    The reason I had it on the camera this day was to take some shots with it, to post with it, when I put it up for sale.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Dang! If I hadn't investigated, I'da thought those feet were some sort of photoshop monstrosity. Holy moly! It's like the feet stayed back in dinosaur days.
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Love those coot shots...very interesting feet, icy environment...well done! The juvenile eagle images are very handsome, but with a bald eagle, you can't go wrong. Is that carp one of those invasive ones that has been invading the Great Lakes? If so, let's hope that eagle gets it. :D
  • davevdavev Registered Users Posts: 3,118 Major grins
    edited March 28, 2011
    Maestro wrote: »
    Love those coot shots...very interesting feet, icy environment...well done! The juvenile eagle images are very handsome, but with a bald eagle, you can't go wrong. Is that carp one of those invasive ones that has been invading the Great Lakes? If so, let's hope that eagle gets it. :D

    No, it's just your everyday carp, probably around 10-15 pounds.

    Thanks for looking everyone.
    dave.

    Basking in the shadows of yesterday's triumphs'.
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