Hanging out at the rookery

[Harryb]

Hi y'all,

Just a few shoots from the rookery in St. Augustine.

In addition to the wild nesting birds they have a few other birds in captivity. These guys are easy to shoot because they stand there and you can keep shooting them until you get it right. I used fill flash on these shots.

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552140-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552160-O.jpg

I found the Nikon 70-200 to be extremely sharp for a zoom lens. here's a 100% crop from the last shot

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552169-O.jpg

The rookery is pretty active now with "real" birds

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552447-O.jpg

the great egret chicks are growing fast
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67551816-O.jpg

the older ones are flexing their wings
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552015-O.jpg

they can be quite demanding
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67551969-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/67552059-O.jpg

[Osprey Whisperer]

Nice series Harry. That last one needs a caption. Some sort of comment on today's society..perhaps? :dunno :scratch :D

[bfjr]

Well now your sneaking into my backyard and shootin shots of, Maggie :wow

Ok Ok it's allright considering these are some outstanding captures. :thumb :clap

[riddim_maker]

It's really nice to be able to keep up on the development these young ones.
thanks for sharing Harry. Awesome as usual

[Harryb]

Nice series Harry. That last one needs a caption. Some sort of comment on today's society..perhaps? :dunno :scratch :D

Thanks Mike. I'm lousy at captions but the last shot does bring back the days when my son was still living with me. :smile6

[Thusie]

Nice series Harry and that last shot..Priceless:thumb

[Harryb]

Well now your sneaking into my backyard and shootin shots of, Maggie :wow

Ok Ok it's allright considering these are some outstanding captures. :thumb :clap

Err Ben, I hate to tell you that Mike would fit better here than Maggie. :rofl

Anyhow thanks for the kind words.

[Harryb]

It's really nice to be able to keep up on the development these young ones.
thanks for sharing Harry. Awesome as usual

Thanks Russ. It has been very interesting going up there on a regular schedule and following the developments.

[Dick on Aruba]

You're a great bird photographer Harry. This series will proof that again. Well done.

Dick.

[Harryb]

Nice series Harry and that last shot..Priceless:thumb

Thank you very much Thusie.

[gluwater]

It looks like there are some spoonbills in that group shot Harry. Any chance you've got some shots of those babies? Or are you not taking requests:D? Have you been to Vierra much lately? I can't remember where I saw them, maybe the Cafe, but I thought I saw some shots of juvenile Caracara from there.

[Harryb]

You're a great bird photographer Harry. This series will proof that again. Well done.

Dick.

Thank oyu very much Dick. You are very kind.

[Harryb]

It looks like there are some spoonbills in that group shot Harry. Any chance you've got some shots of those babies? Or are you not taking requests:D? Have you been to Vierra much lately? I can't remember where I saw them, maybe the Cafe, but I thought I saw some shots of juvenile Caracara from there.

Hey Nick,

How's Chicago treating ya? The sponnbills roost in the rookery but unfortunately they don't nest there. I saw some spoonbill chick shots on the Cafe and they were excellent.

I was at Viera earlier this week as the highway to St. Augustine was closed due to our brushfires. There is a juvenile Caracara around but I haven't seen it yet. The black-bellied whistling ducks have returned and they should be laying eggs soon. A pair of limpkins at Viera are now the proud parents of 6 baby limpkins. I will be posting some shots of them in a few days.

[gluwater]

Hey Nick,

How's Chicago treating ya? The sponnbills roost in the rookery but unfortunately they don't nest there. I saw some spoonbill chick shots on the Cafe and they were excellent.

I was at Viera earlier this week as the highway to St. Augustine was closed due to our brushfires. There is a juvenile Caracara around but I haven't seen it yet. The black-bellied whistling ducks have returned and they should be laying eggs soon. A pair of limpkins at Viera are now the proud parents of 6 baby limpkins. I will be posting some shots of them in a few days.

Chicago is cold and rainy today:bluduh and I haven't been able to get out to shoot any wildlife in a while so it could be better here. That W thing keeps getting in the way of what I would like to be doing.

Thanks for the update. You do realize that I live vicariously through your shots right :lust .

[jwear]

very nice color I think those babys have to grows fast before the parents take a good look and not come back :D

[Harryb]

[quote=gluwater]Chicago is cold and rainy today:bluduh


:wow :puke I feel for you. I kind of have dim memories of "cold & rainy".



and I haven't been able to get out to shoot any wildlife in a while so it could be better here. That W thing keeps getting in the way of what I would like to be doing.

Thanks for the update. You do realize that I live vicariously through your shots right :lust .


I will strive to present other alternaives to ya. :D

[jeff lapoint]

Love the baby egrets Harry!

[Harryb]

very nice color I think those babys have to grows fast before the parents take a good look and not come back :D

Thnaks Jeff. They do have to grow pretty fast because the parents can't take the abuse they get for too long. :D

[Harryb]

Love the baby egrets Harry!

Thanks Jeff. They are a marvelous subject to shoot.

[gildco]

Hi y'all,

Just a few shoots from the rookery in St. Augustine.

In addition to the wild nesting birds they have a few other birds in captivity. These guys are easy to shoot because they stand there and you can keep shooting them until you get it right. I used fill flash on these shots. I found the Nikon 70-200 to be extremely sharp for a zoom lens. here's a 100% crop from the last shot

As usual, beautiful work, Harry. That lens is a very fine piece of glass; your close-up of the eye is crystal clear.

[Markjay]

Great shots. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experiences at the rookery. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say your images are inspiring.

I am going to be moving to the Florida Keys!
My fiance took a job in Key West and, well...
who could resist? :-)

Be well,
Markjay

[Harryb]

As usual, beautiful work, Harry. That lens is a very fine piece of glass; your close-up of the eye is crystal clear.

Thanks Gil. The 70-200 is a fine peice of glass.

[Harryb]

Great shots. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experiences at the rookery. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say your images are inspiring.

I am going to be moving to the Florida Keys!
My fiance took a job in Key West and, well...
who could resist? :-)

Be well,
Markjay

That's very kind of you Mark. Key West,hmmm. :clap You are a lucky man. One of the most beautiful spots going and the capital of "laid back". As long as you don't mind the occasional evacuation during hurricane season its a marvlous area.