zackiedawg
Forum Pro
Once again, I'll be posting a double-play, what would have been two separate threads - the following shots were taken over two different weekend days - on April 30th where my last post left off, then on to May 7th. Some interesting action over this time period, with some birds mating, some birds fighting, some birds eating prey, and lots of chicks and babies. It's always a good time of year in Spring here.
All shots taken with the A6600, and again shooting was split between the FE 100-400mm GM lens and the FE 200-600mm G lens - I'll note the lens in each photo caption. All shots are posted at 1800 pixels on the long side if you view them in original size:
Starting with the fight - these two moorhens were definitely feeling territorial - and when moorhens fight, it's all swinging claws trying to gouge out eyes and biting beaks (100-400)
Sometimes they end up in these Muay Thai style shoulder clenches, where the action comes to a draw as they each try to find an advantageous strike, or push their opponent underwater, until one gives up (100-400)
It's Florida, so sometimes in the wetlands you get caught out in a rainshower. I did on this day, and so did this double-crested cormorant standing on the rail just getting wet. I don't think he minded at all, being a water bird! (100-400)
Spring is a time of love and making babies - even for the lowly pigeons...these two looked to be getting very cosy, necking with each other (100-400)
And the foreplay seemed to have paid off, as they got to work making baby pigeons! (100-400)
Rabbits are famous for their proliferation - so it wasn't too surprising to come upon a batch of marsh rabbit bunnies - including this cute little one, learning from mom where to feed (100-400)
Another proud mom showing her youngins where and how to feed - a mottled duck mom with a big batch of fluffy little ducklings (200-600)
I heard a blood-curdling scream in the woods - and came upon the killer -- a great blue heron had nabbed a pig frog for a meal - the frog was still struggling and swinging - and letting out quite the scream too (200-600)
The heron walked along the edge of the shore in the cypress forest, among the cypress knees - to try to find a dryer spot to eat its prey - they don't like to swallow over the water in case the frog slips out - they can get away more easily in the water (200-600)
Adjusting the grip from the waist and shoulders up to the neck stopped all the screaming noises - at this point, it was clearly all over for the frog (200-600)
And once the head was pointed down the bill, there was very little fight left for the frog - it was going down that long neck, still alive, and the heron would wander off to find another victim (200-600)
In a previous post I had shown the mother wood duck with her small ducklings - this time, I had the privilege of coming upon the whole family, including the stunning male wood duck in full breeding plumage (200-600)
Momma wood duck was nearby with her growing ducklings - finding a shady spot to rest on the shore (200-600)
But when the male wood duck is in full breeding plumage, he definitely attracts all the attention! (200-600)
Male wood duck showing the full glory of his breeding plumage (200-600)
More to follow in the next reply...
Comments, questions, and critique welcomed and encouraged, and appreciated!
--
Justin
galleries: www.pbase.com/zackiedawg
All shots taken with the A6600, and again shooting was split between the FE 100-400mm GM lens and the FE 200-600mm G lens - I'll note the lens in each photo caption. All shots are posted at 1800 pixels on the long side if you view them in original size:
Starting with the fight - these two moorhens were definitely feeling territorial - and when moorhens fight, it's all swinging claws trying to gouge out eyes and biting beaks (100-400)
Sometimes they end up in these Muay Thai style shoulder clenches, where the action comes to a draw as they each try to find an advantageous strike, or push their opponent underwater, until one gives up (100-400)
It's Florida, so sometimes in the wetlands you get caught out in a rainshower. I did on this day, and so did this double-crested cormorant standing on the rail just getting wet. I don't think he minded at all, being a water bird! (100-400)
Spring is a time of love and making babies - even for the lowly pigeons...these two looked to be getting very cosy, necking with each other (100-400)
And the foreplay seemed to have paid off, as they got to work making baby pigeons! (100-400)
Rabbits are famous for their proliferation - so it wasn't too surprising to come upon a batch of marsh rabbit bunnies - including this cute little one, learning from mom where to feed (100-400)
Another proud mom showing her youngins where and how to feed - a mottled duck mom with a big batch of fluffy little ducklings (200-600)
I heard a blood-curdling scream in the woods - and came upon the killer -- a great blue heron had nabbed a pig frog for a meal - the frog was still struggling and swinging - and letting out quite the scream too (200-600)
The heron walked along the edge of the shore in the cypress forest, among the cypress knees - to try to find a dryer spot to eat its prey - they don't like to swallow over the water in case the frog slips out - they can get away more easily in the water (200-600)
Adjusting the grip from the waist and shoulders up to the neck stopped all the screaming noises - at this point, it was clearly all over for the frog (200-600)
And once the head was pointed down the bill, there was very little fight left for the frog - it was going down that long neck, still alive, and the heron would wander off to find another victim (200-600)
In a previous post I had shown the mother wood duck with her small ducklings - this time, I had the privilege of coming upon the whole family, including the stunning male wood duck in full breeding plumage (200-600)
Momma wood duck was nearby with her growing ducklings - finding a shady spot to rest on the shore (200-600)
But when the male wood duck is in full breeding plumage, he definitely attracts all the attention! (200-600)
Male wood duck showing the full glory of his breeding plumage (200-600)
More to follow in the next reply...
Comments, questions, and critique welcomed and encouraged, and appreciated!
--
Justin
galleries: www.pbase.com/zackiedawg
