Hello all from South Padre Island, Texas

MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
edited June 12, 2007 in Wildlife
This is one of the best places for bird photography in Texas. On the way down the coast as we passed through King's Ranch on HW 77, I saw two crested caracaras. They were probably a mated pair. Anyhow, I immediately parked on the shoulder, jumped out of the car, grabbed my camera and long lens and started to shoot.

This shot is not great. Hand-holding a 500mm is tough! However, I have wanted a pic of a crested caracara ever since I saw one of Harry's shots. I am at the hotel posting this and the pic does not have any post processing except for some brightening and a crop. I will post more when I get back from the trip and have access to some proper post processing.

IMG_9319.jpg
Stephen
www.capture-the-pixel.com

Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    I know that bird! Congrats Stephen clap.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!"
  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    Nice one Stephen!

    Thanks for sharing,

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    Harryb wrote:
    I know that bird! Congrats Stephen clap.gif

    Thanks Harry. I have also seen a nice osprey since arriving on the island. I hope this is a good omen for birding. thumb.gif
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Nice one Stephen!

    Thanks for sharing,

    Dick.

    Thanks Dick. I haven't seen you posting in a while. It's nice to hear from you.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • ShepsMomShepsMom Registered Users Posts: 4,319 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    Very nice catch Stephen!! What a beautiful bird clap.gif
    Marina
    www.intruecolors.com
    Nikon D700 x2/D300
    Nikon 70-200 2.8/50 1.8/85 1.8/14.24 2.8
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited June 11, 2007
    good for you Stephen!!
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Thanks Dave and Marina. Here is one more from the same caracara.

    CrestedCaracarainMesquite.jpg
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Have a great time Stephen!

    I know how hard it is to edit on the road.

    Good catch....I'll be looking forward to your shots when you return.:D
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Quick update.
    I found some Harris Hawks and the Valley "speciality" bird, a plain chachalaca! It was a lucky find. I was in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge deep in the brush when I found them. It was a pair. One came so close I really needed to switch lenses, but I didn't have time. So I was stuck with my long lens and some close up shots of the chachalaca.

    Plain_Chachalaca_portrait.jpg

    Once again, more proper photos coming after the trip. :D
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    I found some Harris Hawks and the Valley "speciality" bird, a plain chachalaca! It was a lucky find. I was in the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge deep in the brush when I found them. It was a pair. One came so close I really needed to switch lenses, but I didn't have time. So I was stuck with my long lens and some close up shots of the chachalaca.

    Plain_Chachalaca_portrait.jpg

    Once again, more proper photos coming after the trip. :D
    Yeah, baby! clap.gif

    Don't ya just hate it when you get too close? rolleyes1.gif
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Yeah, baby! clap.gif

    Don't ya just hate it when you get too close? rolleyes1.gif

    rolleyes1.gif I do when I am on the ground with a 500mm lens and a fast approaching chachalaca is coming. Look at this.

    Oooooops!

    Chachalaca_cut.jpg

    It looks like it could have been a good shot except for, well, you know, the missing head! :bash In retrospect it is a kinda funny.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Maestro wrote:
    rolleyes1.gif I do when I am on the ground with a 500mm lens and a fast approaching chachalaca is coming. Look at this.

    Oooooops!

    Chachalaca_cut.jpg

    It looks like it could have been a good shot except for, well, you know, the missing head! :bash In retrospect it is a kinda funny.

    I've seen birds with missing heads before! binge.gifgone
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2007
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    I've seen birds with missing heads before! binge.gifgone

    Considering the chachalaca is an upland game bird, much like quail, I am sure that many a chachalaca has been beheaded that way. mwink.gif
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

Sign In or Register to comment.