Mixing It Up

[jeff lapoint]

Most of my shooting is done in the early AM and extends (school and wife willinghttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif) into the noon hour. The consistancy is nice as I know what to expect and where to find what I'm hunting.

On Monday schedules conflicted and I had to go out in the late afternoon. Being a creature of habit, I was not entirely excited to be tossed out of my comfort zone....but this, as it turns out, is sometimes a good thinghttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/mwink.gif

I was expecting a new set of animals to be out, but I was greated by two old favorites.

Mr. Snowy basking in the setting sun.

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161703-L.jpg

And my new favorite, the osprey, in the tree he's always in. (Is this what its like to have "the tree". Now if I could only find "the TC" or invest in "the crane" to get me closer...)

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161655-M.jpg

Then I happened upon some animals I didn't expect to see...

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161660-L.jpg

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161675-L.jpg



http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161680-L.jpg

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161697-L.jpg

http://lapiz007.smugmug.com/photos/35161691-L.jpg

As close as my wife would allowhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/uhoh2.gif. She was standing right behind my as I snapped away and was *not* thrilled about my efforts to inch closer.

Turns out its not that bad to out of my comfort zone...

Thanks for the look!

-J

[Dixie]

Nice shots. Isn't the snake a diamond back? About how long?

[Angelo]

nice shots Jeff :thumb


If those rattlers are at Bolsa you won't see me joining you guys anytime soon. :D

[jeff lapoint]

Nice shots. Isn't the snake a diamond back? About how long? Thanks Dixie,

Not sure the exact classification of the snake, but it was for sure a rattler. There were actually two inter-twined so it was difficult to guess how long they were. The bigger one was a fatty though and when they decided to move they did so pretty quick!

[Allen]

I hope you were using a loooong lens on the rattler.:D

Wow, they're all nice. Owl shots are very special. You had one of
those once in a lifetime days.
AL

[jeff lapoint]

nice shots Jeff :thumb


If those rattlers are at Bolsa you won't see me joining you guys anytime soon. :D I'm almost tempted to lie so you'll still join us. It was in fact at Bolsa, but the good news is they were right in the rock pile behing the sign that says, "Rattle snakes! Beware!".

-j

[jeff lapoint]

I hope you were using a loooong lens on the rattler.:D

Wow, they're all nice. Owl shots are very special. You had one of
those once in a lifetime days.
AL
Thanks Allen! I was using the 400 5.6 on the 20d, so I did have some wiggle room. You should have seen my wife's face when I tried to change to the 200 2.8. She knows zilch about photography except 2 things: 1. longer generally= more expensive (and so does white on the lens) and 2. shorter means jackass husband getting closer to venomnous snakes. http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif

[bfjr]

WTG Doc WTG found that rattler and you will be taking me to him, shortly :clap

Excellently done no doubt :thumb
That's also a different Owl then the one JeffW and I shot Sunday, very cool :D

Angelo don't be a wuss , we'll use JeffW as point man when we go :rofl :lol4

[jeff lapoint]

WTG Doc WTG found that rattler and you will be taking me to him, shortly :clap

Excellently done no doubt :thumb
That's also a different Owl then the one JeffW and I shot Sunday, very cool :D

Angelo don't be a wuss , we'll use JeffW as point man when we go :rofl :lol4
Sounds good Shooter. I need to get my shutter speed higher while shooting at dusk like that. If the snakes are basking I know just the spot and the owl is only 30 from there...

[jwear]

great horned owl -- but i still am not sure were you saw him :scratch and what luck all the times we look thru the rocks and zip --great shots Jeff --a very good day :thumb

[Harryb]

They are all good shots but I really lovee thise owl captures. :thumb

[Osprey Whisperer]

Nice shots. ** best Indy Jones** " I hate snakes ". :huh


BMP

[Angelo]

I'm almost tempted to lie so you'll still join us. It was in fact at Bolsa, but the good news is they were right in the rock pile behing the sign that says, "Rattle snakes! Beware!".

-j
And you MISSED that shot???? bad bad bad Jeff :huh

[Andy]

wow, really good :thumb :thumb

[jeff lapoint]

great horned owl -- but i still am not sure were you saw him :scratch and what luck all the times we look thru the rocks and zip --great shots Jeff --a very good day :thumb
Thanks Jeff!

I do feel like I was extremely lucky. I think we kept missing the snakes due to the time of day we went...maybe it was still too cold in the am for them to be outhttp://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif

As for where the owl spot is...all will be revealed my handlebar-mustached friend! Now go find that kingfisher!

[jeff lapoint]

They are all good shots but I really lovee thise owl captures. :thumb
Glad you enjoyed them! Its about time I return the favor --Your shots have been extremely valuable in any small progression I've made over the last year!

[jeff lapoint]

And you MISSED that shot???? bad bad bad Jeff :huh
hehe...couldnt get both in the same frame...I was traveling light and didn't bring anything wider than 200mm. I have an old shot if you'd like of the sign...http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/ne_nau.gif maybe a PS montage/ double exposure deal?

[jeff lapoint]

wow, really good :thumb :thumb
thanks for stopping by andy! hopefully i can get some even better shots soon...i was a bit excited and forgot a few of the *basics*http://dgrin.com/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

-j