Closed !!!!!

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited September 7, 2011 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

I haven't been able to shoot as much as I would like lately. I got up this morning and the light was really good so I packed my gear, hopped into my car and drove down to the wetlands. We have had rain fairly frequently and I wasn't sure if the place would be open but when I got there the entrance was clear and I was a happy man. As I approached the entrance a car pulled up and man got out. Then this SOB put the chain across the entrance with a sign saying "closed to vehicles". :bash

I'm sitting in my car with 4 cameras, the 500mm f/4, the 200-400 f4, the 70-200, the 300mm f/4, 3 teleconverters, my tripod with a Wimberly head, a monopod, my bean bags, and a partridge in a pear tree. I really wanted to shoot and I was feeling spunky so I threw the 300 with the 1.7 TC on my D3s and decided to hike through the wetlands. I hate hiking in Florida during August. :whew

the shooting was OK. I couldn't get as close to my subjects on foot as I could in a car but I got some BIFs that I would have missed if I had been driving. As I was making the last leg of the trip I saw a red shouldered hawk. As I moved in on it the hawk being an evil bird flew off on me. As I tracked its flight I saw a deer butt to my left. It was a young deer that was out in the open.

D3S5405-XL.jpg

Usually deer are shy but since there were no cars going through and I was the only human in the place it apparently was not afraid to come into the open. When it saw me it went behind these bushes to it left. I decided to try a slow approach and after 20 minutes I was a few yards from its hiding spot. It saw me and poked its head out to get me a looking over.

D3S5419-XL.jpg

After 15 minutes or so it probably thought "fat old man, bad knee, no threat" and started to come out and resumed its grazing.

D3S5429-XL.jpg

D3S5432-XL.jpg

D3S5440-XL.jpg

I had been too successful in my approach and could not get its whole body in the frame.

D3S5435-XL.jpg

I had thought that the deer would have moved away from me after coming out from behind the bushes but it was happy where it was. After a half hour or so my legs were covered with mosquitoes so I carefully got up and moved away and tried to get more of its body in frame.

D3S5454-XL.jpg

All in all it was a good morning.
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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Comments

  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited August 29, 2011
    #1 and #2 are my favorites.

    I have deer coming through my backyard often, and to my wife's chagrin as they tend to nimble on her daylilies. I don't recall ever seeing whiskers on a deer before - very cool.

    Great shots.

    Phil
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • denisegoldbergdenisegoldberg Administrators Posts: 14,372 moderator
    edited August 29, 2011
    1 and 2 are my favorites too - the shots are wonderful and the story makes them even better.

    Thanks for sharing!

    --- Denise
    https://www.denisegoldberg.com ... https://denise.smugmug.com

    Musings & ramblings at https://denisegoldberg.blogspot.com
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited August 29, 2011
    You should have called a cabne_nau.gif
    Jeff W

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

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited August 29, 2011
    clap.gifclap.gif Great story and shots, Harry. thumb.gif

    Better start bringing that beach rolly again. mwink.gif
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited August 29, 2011
    Harry, I can SO relate to the perils of walking around wetlands in the summer! The last time I shot in Jungle Gardens, I had to walk down through a low spot before getting to the Bird City Platform. I almost didn't make it, despite having PLENTY of mosquito repellant. The mosquitoes were so thick they paid almost no attention to Off! I love your photos, especially the first one. That deer has some seriously large ears! You are the master of exposure and sharp detail. I always love seeing your photos because your wildlife subjects pretty much jump off the page. Best, Pam
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 29, 2011
    lifeinfocus wrote: »
    #1 and #2 are my favorites.

    I have deer coming through my backyard often, and to my wife's chagrin as they tend to nimble on her daylilies. I don't recall ever seeing whiskers on a deer before - very cool.

    Great shots.

    Phil

    Thanks Phil, I can sympathize with your wife. I have various wildlife munching on my landscaping also.
    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 August 29, 2011
    denisegoldberg wrote: »
    1 and 2 are my favorites too - the shots are wonderful and the story makes them even better.

    Thanks for sharing!

    --- Denise

    Glad you enjoyed it Denise.
    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 August 29, 2011
    jwear wrote: »
    You should have called a cabne_nau.gif

    :nah cabs down here aren't metered
    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 August 29, 2011
    kdog wrote: »
    clap.gifclap.gif Great story and shots, Harry. thumb.gif

    Better start bringing that beach rolly again. mwink.gif

    Thanks Joel, I was kicking my self for leaving Beach Rolly home.
    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 August 29, 2011
    PGM wrote: »
    Harry, I can SO relate to the perils of walking around wetlands in the summer! The last time I shot in Jungle Gardens, I had to walk down through a low spot before getting to the Bird City Platform. I almost didn't make it, despite having PLENTY of mosquito repellant. The mosquitoes were so thick they paid almost no attention to Off! I love your photos, especially the first one. That deer has some seriously large ears! You are the master of exposure and sharp detail. I always love seeing your photos because your wildlife subjects pretty much jump off the page. Best, Pam

    Thanks Pam, I'm lucky with mosquitoes because they don't bite me. I have never been bitten by a mosquito. Once Linda went to the wetlands with me. It was in July and the mosquitoes were incredibly thick. I got out of the car to get a shot and walked into a cloud of mosquitoes. When I got back into the car I didn't have one bite but Linda who stayed n the car was bitten three times.

    Thanks for the kind words.
    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!"
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    :nah cabs down here aren't metered

    I know but most drivers now how to pass thru locked borders headscratch.gifdunnomaybe that is only in L.A.rolleyes1.gif
    Jeff W

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

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    so we finally see how you manage<

    4 cameras
    500
    200 - 400
    300
    tripod
    monopod
    beans & bags
    I'm sure I musta of missed something ??

    How ? Selling blood as skitter repellent :wow
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    Thanks Pam, I'm lucky with mosquitoes because they don't bite me. I have never been bitten by a mosquito. Once Linda went to the wetlands with me. It was in July and the mosquitoes were incredibly thick. I got out of the car to get a shot and walked into a cloud of mosquitoes. When I got back into the car I didn't have one bite but Linda who stayed n the car was bitten three times.

    Thanks for the kind words.

    Harry, I am happy for you, but that is SO UNFAIR! I'm like Linda, it seems. Walking next to me through a cloud of mosquitoes is better than being drenched in OFF. I attract all of them! Bes, Pam
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    I don't see any wings on whatever that is! rolleyes1.gif

    thumb.gif

    :D
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    Wonderful photos.

    Up here in Pennsylvania these things are like your rodents - squirrels! They are everywhere and mostly hunted with late model Buicks!

    Nice shots, but I have a herd in my backyard that I regularly chase from the birdfeeder.......


    Z
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • leilanimrleilanimr Registered Users Posts: 200 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    Really great shots! I live along Florida's Treasure Coast, haven't been fortunate enough to see deer, at least not yet! :D
    Leilani M Ramsey
    http://leilanimr.smugmug.com
  • dbvetodbveto Registered Users Posts: 660 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    All are Great shots(no surprise there) but my favorite is the 2nd. thumb.gifthumb

    "it probably thought "fat old man, bad knee, no threat" and started to come out and resumed its grazing."

    I Was No where near thererolleyes1.gifrofl
    Dennis
    http://www.realphotoman.com/
    Work in progress
    http://www.realphotoman.net/ Zenfolio 10% off Referral Code: 1KH-5HX-5HU
  • bluesman grahambluesman graham Registered Users Posts: 254 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    Some cracking images Harry!. On a side note when I view your EXIF it shows the 500 f4 at a Max of f6.7??. On the 300 2.8 & 400 I use it shows incorrect data too?headscratch.gif!, do you know why this is?, as it's driving me nuts trying to find out the reason :bash. I cannot get correct Exif info (even worse with a converter on!!)eek7.gif. Kind regards Graham.
    Graham.

    C&C most welcome

    Nikon D3s,D3, D2hs x2 Nikkor 70-200 2.8, Nikkor 24-70 2.8, Nikkor AF-SII 300 2.8, Nikkor 1.4 & 1.7 converters etc.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesmangraham/
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 30, 2011
    jwear wrote: »
    I know but most drivers now how to pass thru locked borders headscratch.gifdunnomaybe that is only in L.A.rolleyes1.gif


    Hell I don't need a cabbie to get through a locked border. I can do that myself. naughty.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 August 30, 2011
    bfjr wrote: »
    so we finally see how you manage<

    4 cameras
    500
    200 - 400
    300
    tripod
    monopod
    beans & bags <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/rolleyes1.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >
    I'm sure I musta of missed something ?? <img src="https://us.v-cdn.net/6029383/emoji/ne_nau.gif&quot; border="0" alt="" >

    How ? Selling blood as skitter repellent :wow

    You missed my second tripod, my flash unit, filters, my viewing loupe, cleaning cloths, water, and the 70-200. I also forgot to mention my 14-24 and the 28-70 (for when the landscape mood strikes).

    I promised my son that when I die he will inherit 2 bucks if he's lucky and I intend to keep that promise.
    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!"
  • Dennis KaczorDennis Kaczor Registered Users Posts: 2,413 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    Great series Harry and good thing that gates were open for you.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
  • canon400dcanon400d Banned Posts: 2,826 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    Hell I don't need a cabbie to get through a locked border. I can do that myself. naughty.gif

    What a fantastic set of photos Harry. Well done. Wow! you have some gear there that would cost an absolute fortune over here.
    Cheers
    Bob
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited August 31, 2011
    Nice change of pace for the wetlands, Harry! Sorry they shut it down on you though.
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    Ric Grupe wrote: »
    I don't see any wings on whatever that is! rolleyes1.gif

    thumb.gif

    :D

    Every once in awhile I take a picture of some non-feathered object. I don't even make Linda wear feathers anymore when she wants me to take her picture.
    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 September 1, 2011
    Zanotti wrote: »
    Wonderful photos.

    Up here in Pennsylvania these things are like your rodents - squirrels! They are everywhere and mostly hunted with late model Buicks!

    Nice shots, but I have a herd in my backyard that I regularly chase from the birdfeeder.......


    Z

    I have heard of towns up North that were just about over run by deer. Down here I'm constantly chasing rabbits, racoons, armadillos, and squirrels off my property.
    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 September 1, 2011
    leilanimr wrote: »
    Really great shots! I live along Florida's Treasure Coast, haven't been fortunate enough to see deer, at least not yet! :D

    Thanks Leilani, we have quite a few deer in this area. They are airly regular visitors to the wetlands. They usually are fairly shy though and its hard to get close enough for a good capture.
    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!"
  • korandokekorandoke Registered Users Posts: 517 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    very nice set harry
    Best regards,
    Korandoke
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited September 1, 2011
    dbveto wrote: »
    All are Great shots(no surprise there) but my favorite is the 2nd. thumb.gifthumb

    "it probably thought "fat old man, bad knee, no threat" and started to come out and resumed its grazing."

    I Was No where near thererolleyes1.gifrofl

    Thanks, you may not have been there but I was so fat old men were well represented.
    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 September 1, 2011
    bluesman graham wrote: »
    Some cracking images Harry!. On a side note when I view your EXIF it shows the 500 f4 at a Max of f6.7??. On the 300 2.8 & 400 I use it shows incorrect data too?headscratch.gif!, do you know why this is?, as it's driving me nuts trying to find out the reason :bash. I cannot get correct Exif info (even worse with a converter on!!)eek7.gif. Kind regards Graham.

    Thanks Graham, what it shows depends on your exif reader. They all read the 300mm and 1.7 TC as 500mm, the f4 comes fror the lens being a 300mm f/4 lens. The actual settings were f/7.1 with an ev adjustment of -0.67 (aka 2/3rds of a stop). The max of 6.7 is the widest aperture setting of an f4 lens with a 1.7 TC attached.
    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 September 2, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    I don't even make Linda wear feathers anymore when she wants me to take her picture.

    Boy...oh, boy will I ever keep my mouth shut on that one!!!wings.gif
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