A few flight shots from Gatorland

[Paavo]

Spent the afternoon at Gatorland yesterday. The breeding is in full swing there. Lots of noise and lots of activity. Hope you enjoy! I know I did shooting them.

An anhinga


http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806Anhinga.jpg

A Great White Egret
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806GWE1.jpg

Ibis: 3 in a row
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806Ibis1.jpg

A landing shot
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806Ibis2.jpg

What makes Gatorland such a special place for me to shoot
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806Snowy1.jpg

And an ugly Wood Stork :)
http://www.kevinpaavola.com/NikonCafe/031806Stork1.jpg

All shot with the D2X, 300/f4 AFS, handheld.

[Andy]

Oh Yessssssssssssssssssss

Kevin, these are spectacular.

:clap :clap :clap

I'm putting one in the banner here on dgrin, if that's ok with you :wink

[firedancing4life]

"a few shots from gatorland"??

you mean "a few masterpieces from gatorland"

awesome!

were you panning on the 3 in the row and the one where the birds is grabbing the fish out of the water?

[saurora]

Beyond Breathtaking!!!! These are astounding, Kevin! Each one is as good as the one before it...I'm not sure I could pick one. I have to pick them ALL!!!! You must be floating on air like those birds! Congratulations. Best I've seen yet. :clap :clap :clap (If I could be guaranteed shots like this, I'd buy a Nikon in a heartbeat!!! But I know it was your talent, not the camera!!)

[Paavo]

Oh Yessssssssssssssssssss

Kevin, these are spectacular.

:clap :clap :clap

I'm putting one in the banner here on dgrin, if that's ok with you :wink

Yikes! Gee, thanks, Andy! That would be an honor!! :thumb

[Paavo]

"a few shots from gatorland"??

you mean "a few masterpieces from gatorland"

awesome!

were you panning on the 3 in the row and the one where the birds is grabbing the fish out of the water?

I'm not panning with that intent. Mostly I just like to follow the action. The snowy shot with the great background....that's just the way the water gets in areas later in the day.

I really appreciate the kind words. I'm actually kind of overwhelmed with the responses! Thanks!!

[Paavo]

Beyond Breathtaking!!!! These are astounding, Kevin! Each one is as good as the one before it...I'm not sure I could pick one. I have to pick them ALL!!!! You must be floating on air like those birds! Congratulations. Best I've seen yet. :clap :clap :clap (If I could be guaranteed shots like this, I'd buy a Nikon in a heartbeat!!! But I know it was your talent, not the camera!!)

You're very kind to say so! Thank you so much. You guys sure are an encouraging group over here. I may have to start posting more often! :wink

[Osprey Whisperer]

Nice series of shots, Kevin. :thumb Gatorland is an awsome place. I wish it was much closer. I can't wait to get back there.

That ibis landing shot makes me wonder if there is always another ibis watching to make sure there buddy doesn't crash? :dunno :scratch

(one of mine that your's reminded me of)

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/45175132

[pathfinder]

Lovely series Kevin. :clap

Folks, Kevin is one of the few of us here who shoots AC/DC - that is he shoots both Canon and Nikon. He recently purchased 5D if I am not mistaken.

Welcome again, Kevin:thumb :thumb

And you are right, Gatorland must be a hoot to be able to shoot frequently.

[Dee]

Some of these look almost 3-D!

Amazing catches... I love the egret "kissing" his reflection in the water!

[Rohirrim]

Lovely series Kevin, all very sharp, well exposed and well composed :thumb

[Harryb]

Excellent shots Kevin. :clap I loved the snowy shot.

[Paavo]

Nice series of shots, Kevin. :thumb Gatorland is an awsome place. I wish it was much closer. I can't wait to get back there.

That ibis landing shot makes me wonder if there is always another ibis watching to make sure there buddy doesn't crash? :dunno :scratch

(one of mine that your's reminded me of)

http://www.pbase.com/blindmustangpilot/image/45175132

If you make it back up here, give me a holler! Love to go shooting with you!

Your shot is like the opposite of mine! Cool! :thumb

[Paavo]

Lovely series Kevin. :clap

Folks, Kevin is one of the few of us here who shoots AC/DC - that is he shoots both Canon and Nikon. He recently purchased 5D if I am not mistaken.

Welcome again, Kevin:thumb :thumb

And you are right, Gatorland must be a hoot to be able to shoot frequently.

Hey Chief! Thanks for the welcome! Actually, I'm not shooting Canon yet. Gotta sell my Nikon stuff before I can buy the 5D. But, I'm more than half way there. Can't wait to see the difference in image quality, once I get past the learning curve.. :dunno

[Paavo]

Some of these look almost 3-D!

Amazing catches... I love the egret "kissing" his reflection in the water!

Thanks Dee! The Snowy shot is my favorite too. I watched him do this and waited as I knew it would be a special shot! I appreciate you taking time to comment.

[Paavo]

Lovely series Kevin, all very sharp, well exposed and well composed :thumb

Thanks Steve! I really need to start shooting on a tripod. It's taken a lot of practice but I'm finally beginning to enjoy my shots on a consistant basis.

[Paavo]

Excellent shots Kevin. :clap I loved the snowy shot.

Thanks Harry! Was out at Peacock Rd, Gator Rd and Pond Rd yesterday. Still no skimmers!! :scratch Guess they're going to be like the eagle at Viera. :cry

[Osprey Whisperer]

If you make it back up here, give me a holler! Love to go shooting with you!

Your shot is like the opposite of mine! Cool! :thumb

Thanks Kevin. I'd like to shoot again. Perhaps I can persuade (other) Mike to drive back uup there sometime....and we all can shoot "Gatorland" again. :clap I really liked that place. Blows the doors off the Venice Rookery IMO.

[Paavo]

Thanks Kevin. I'd like to shoot again. Perhaps I can persuade (other) Mike to drive back uup there sometime....and we all can shoot "Gatorland" again. :clap I really liked that place. Blows the doors off the Venice Rookery IMO.

Let me know! The nesting birds are in full force right now. Nesting Storks, GWEgrets, Cormorants, Tricolors, Snowys, BCNH, just to name a few.

I've not been to Venice Rookery yet, but I can certainly vouch for Gatorland. I think you either love it or hate it. Birds have dropped "treats" on me twice but I still love it!!