How I Spent My Week

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited April 26, 2012 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

For the last week I've been hosting a camera club from Illinois. We had a fine time with some good eating and lots of photo ops.

We started out in St. Augustine at the Alligator Farm's rookery

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We then headed down to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge where the reddish egret made a special appearance
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We ended up at my favorite spot, the Viera Wetlands

The ibis were acting badly
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the young GBHs weren't being too kind to their parent
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The black crowned night herons put on a pretty good show
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The green herons were working hard
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to serve up frog legs
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the gators popped up
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and a juvenile bald eagle passed by
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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

  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    An impressive variety of awesome captures here. It looks like you had a blast.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    Yep it was a blast Dick. It was good to be hanging with folks who had a real interest in photography. We traded info, talked about gear, had some fine food, mixed up some hurricanes, and did a whole lot of shooting.
    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!"
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    I'd love to see the Vierra Wetlands some day. You always have such great variety! That looked like a fairly large alligator? And I haven't seen a Green Heron here this year, much less one dining on frog legs! Way to go, Harry! Best, Pam
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    PGM wrote: »
    I'd love to see the Vierra Wetlands some day. You always have such great variety! That looked like a fairly large alligator? And I haven't seen a Green Heron here this year, much less one dining on frog legs! Way to go, Harry! Best, Pam

    Come on down any time. Linda and I have hosted many visiting photographers over the past 8 years. That gator was between 8-10 feet. I hadn't seen too many green herons this year until recently. Then I found a spot in the click ponds near the wetlands where they and black crowned night herons were hanging out. The spot was filled with frogs which explains its appeal to the herons.
    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!"
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    Harryb wrote: »
    Come on down any time. Linda and I have hosted many visiting photographers over the past 8 years. That gator was between 8-10 feet. I hadn't seen too many green herons this year until recently. Then I found a spot in the click ponds near the wetlands where they and black crowned night herons were hanging out. The spot was filled with frogs which explains its appeal to the herons.

    I have never seen a black crowned night heron here, though I look every year. Bird City here was built by Edmund's cousin starting back around 1900, and he wrote at that time that it was originally just a small spring where a few green herons nested each year. We also came across some writing that long ago the Cajuns called the black crowned night herons "gros bec," pronounced "grow beck," meaning big beak. Next year maybe I will throw out a few frogs!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 25, 2012
    PGM wrote: »
    I have never seen a black crowned night heron here, though I look every year. Bird City here was built by Edmund's cousin starting back around 1900, and he wrote at that time that it was originally just a small spring where a few green herons nested each year. We also came across some writing that long ago the Cajuns called the black crowned night herons "gros bec," pronounced "grow beck," meaning big beak. Next year maybe I will throw out a few frogs!

    Night herons are nocturnal (no surprise considering their name) so I was lucky that they found a good food source that brought them out during the day. The presence of the juvenile (the first flight capture) might mean they had a nearby nest. I see quite a few night herons when I close the wetlands after sunset.
    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!"
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2012
    Harryb wrote: »
    Yep it was a blast Dick. It was good ..., mixed up some hurricanes, ...

    If those "hurricane's" can provoke that I make such beautiful and often impossible shots, I will consider a few category 5's rolleyes1.gif
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2012
    Looks like you had a great time, Harry! Nice set!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2012
    Dick on Aruba wrote: »
    If those "hurricane's" can provoke that I make such beautiful and often impossible shots, I will consider a few category 5's rolleyes1.gif

    Never under estimate the hurricane factor. :slosh

    I find I get my best results when I'm in a good mood. Attitude plays a role in your results.

    Od course having the ability to stand and see helps also so moderation plays a role too.
    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 April 26, 2012
    A very nice set of images Harry. Put me down for #4 great shot.
    Regards - Dennis

    Dennis Kaczor Photography
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited April 26, 2012
    raptorcaptor wrote: »
    Looks like you had a great time, Harry! Nice set!

    Thanks Glenn,it was a fantastic time.
    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 April 26, 2012
    Dennis Kaczor wrote: »
    A very nice set of images Harry. Put me down for #4 great shot.

    Thanks Dennis, the GBHs at the wetlamds never fail to provide photo ops.
    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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