American Avocet (non-breeding)

[Steve_E]

I had a few encounters this year with Avocets and thought I'd share a series.

Canon 1D Mark II / 500L / Skimmer II Ground Pod

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/avocetprelaunchcc.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/avocetlaunchcc.jpg

I believe this is a family, The male at left and two females (more bill curvature)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/avocettrio-1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/avocetsolo1.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/Nighthd/Bird%20Photography/avocetsolo5.jpg

[jckegley]

Wow, that is an awesome series.

While you didn't ask for a critique, I think I like the first one from an interest standpoint. The bird almost looks like it is floating like a duck (it is standing right?).

From a face/eye/catch light standpoint I like the 4th one the best.

Two questions...

Do you wear any type of camo when you are crawling around the beach or mudflats when taking your shorebird shots?

Also, do you actually crawl and approach the birds, or do you get into a position and wait for the shorebirds to approach you?

Great set of images.

[Steve_E]

Wow, that is an awesome series.

While you didn't ask for a critique, I think I like the first one from an interest standpoint. The bird almost looks like it is floating like a duck (it is standing right?).

From a face/eye/catch light standpoint I like the 4th one the best.

Two questions...

Do you wear any type of camo when you are crawling around the beach or mudflats when taking your shorebird shots?

Also, do you actually crawl and approach the birds, or do you get into a position and wait for the shorebirds to approach you?

Great set of images.

Thanks very much Joe. I'm always open to critique and suggestions for improvement, I've only been at this for about 5 years and have much to learn which helps fuel my enthusiasm.

In the first shot the bird is standing as the tide was quickly rising. The take off shot followed as the water got too high for comfort for the bird. It was a dual of patience as the rising water came within inches of me just as the bird exited. Sometimes I get wet in those situations because I don't like to stand to get out of the way of the water, I try to crawl back to keep ahead of it.

I wear a thin nylon camo suit(pants/jacket) that I picked up at Bass Pro. It's designed for rain so it has a thin rubber-like coating on the inside. It does help keep me drier in wet sand and mud but I especially like being able to quickly and easily brush off the sand that would otherwise stick to me and my clothes, plus end up in every pocket and place I don't want it. In the summer it can be a bit hot but I'm usually wrapping up shooting by 10:30 anyway so I avoid the worst heat.

I do crawl to get close, sometimes in excess of 500 feet. But there is no doubt of the effectiveness. I've crawled up on flocks and as long as I'm still and move slowly there's a level of acceptance that occurs. Some birds are more accepting than others of course but the longer I'm in position among a group the more likely other arriving birds are to land nearby, and that means more opportunity. It does require patience like always and a tolerance physically of the crawl but it's a lot of fun.

[Rubberhead]

Wow Steve. Great, personal, stuff.

[Steve_E]

Wow Steve. Great, personal, stuff.

Thanks very much RH.

[rkemmerlin]

Steve,

Your low work has inspired several people I know to give it a try. I know I would love to but crawling 500 yards with a 500mm exceeds what I think I could physically do.

What is your average distance/time for you to get within shooting distance?

I have approached a lot of shore birds standing upright and got fairly close. Do you think getting just outside the subject's comfort zone and then getting down to get a bit closer would be effective?

[Steve_E]

Steve,

Your low work has inspired several people I know to give it a try. I know I would love to but crawling 500 yards with a 500mm exceeds what I think I could physically do.

What is your average distance/time for you to get within shooting distance?

I have approached a lot of shore birds standing upright and got fairly close. Do you think getting just outside the subject's comfort zone and then getting down to get a bit closer would be effective?

Thanks Robert for mentioning that, I hope they're getting the results they after.

Sometimes a crawl becomes somewhat perpetual in that the birds lead me around, doing their best to keep me outside their comfort zone. But a crawl of 300-400 feet might take an hour or longer. Watching their body language plays a good role in how fast I move plus by moving too fast I'm perceived as an aggressive threat so patience usually pays off. I do my best to get as close as I can before the crawl to minimize the distance. So yes you can approach and then crawl but how close is close enough can vary as you know and not only according to species but also from day to day and bird to bird. Some days a species will be very tolerant and the very next day the same species is completely intolerant, nobody said it would be easy right? For me, just being down to photograph the birds at eye level and get the benefit of backgrounds otherwise not captured makes the work(and back pain) worth while. The ground pod makes it all possible, there's no way I could do this with the Wimberley II and 500 without the mobility it allows.

[jckegley]

The ground pod makes it all possible, there's no way I could do this with the Wimberley II and 500 without the mobility it allows.

So once you are at the crawling stage, you scoot the camera and lens through the sand with the ground pod as the base?

Would a freesbie work too? I think our friend Marina uses a freesbie as a base.

[Steve_E]

So once you are at the crawling stage, you scoot the camera and lens through the sand with the ground pod as the base?

Would a freesbie work too? I think our friend Marina uses a freesbie as a base.

Yes, I slide the whole thing ahead of me as I go. I suppose you could improvise a similar device but a frisbee seems a bit flexible for the weight I'm toting. I'm sure the Ground Pod gets a lot of "reaction" at its price but it has quickly jumped to the top of my accessory list because it gets it done and provides a solid, lightweight foundation to shoot from. I like that it keeps my gear clean and allows me to use the Wimberley II, fully functional.

I saw a tutorial on line of a guy that built one from a teflon coated skillet. He had access to a machine shop to fabricate the unit nicely. I though about that but knew it would be heavier than the Skimmer and also cost me at least half or maybe even as much if I had to pay someone to make it. I'm really glad I don't have the added weight now. Carrying the Pod/Wimberley/500L/1D is more than enough load. I have no regrets and I take it wherever I go to shoot birds.

[Squatty]

My dream shorebird and I didn't even get a phone call :mad:

Steve these are all jaw dropping. Fantastic images and I'm so jealous that I wasn't there for them. I can't let you live it down for not calling me you know :D Knowing what you do, the time and effort you put into how you shoot shots like these and, well everything you do really, you are well rewarded! Keep up the good work. Next time call me dad gum it! :rolleyes:

Again SUPER SUPER shots!

[Steve_E]

My dream shorebird and I didn't even get a phone call :mad:

Steve these are all jaw dropping. Fantastic images and I'm so jealous that I wasn't there for them. I can't let you live it down for not calling me you know :D Knowing what you do, the time and effort you put into how you shoot shots like these and, well everything you do really, you are well rewarded! Keep up the good work. Next time call me dad gum it! :rolleyes:

Again SUPER SUPER shots!

Now I gave those Avocet clear directions to your place, clearly they're not from around here.

I promise to make it up to you when the Ivory Bill shows. :D

Seriously, I wish you could have been here too. They sure didn't stay long.

Thanks buddy. 90 Days until Scott Week 2010, give or take a week or two.

[rpearce12]

Steve,

Great job here. I never get tired of seeing all of these shots. How much does your whole setup weigh? It's got to be back-breaking :eek:. Also, have you ever given any thought to using a 1.4x TC?

[Steve_E]

Thanks Richard.

I keep meaning to weigh the gear but always forget. It's plenty though and definitely gets heavier by mid day. :D

I own a 1.4 and 2X but have decided that I'm better off without the added focal length most of the time. I tend to be right about where I need to be or have a bit too much for most situations. So I go with less since poping it on and off while laying in sand and/or mud isn't a good idea. I admit though, there are times when I wish I had the 1.4 on. I've had very good results with it.

[Idlewild]

Awesome series!

[Steve_E]

Awesome series!

Thanks very much.

[dddenton]

Avocets are such beautiful, elegant birds. This is a super series showing them in their natural setting. I think the last one is my favorite with that sloped bank and the grass that looks like its blowing in the background. Your method certainly works, producing shots like these. Impressive.

[Steve_E]

Avocets are such beautiful, elegant birds. This is a super series showing them in their natural setting. I think the last one is my favorite with that sloped bank and the grass that looks like its blowing in the background. Your method certainly works, producing shots like these. Impressive.

Thank you very much Deede. They are so elegant and a joy to watch.. I've always been a big fan of the Black-necked Stilts for the same reason but I think The Avocets have them beat. If only they were in breeding color, maybe next year in early summer if I'm lucky.

[artsnimages]

Man, I spend half my time looking for this species and I have yet to get a good capture. I'm jealous! Those are phenomenal Steve!

Jim

[Steve_E]

Man, I spend half my time looking for this species and I have yet to get a good capture. I'm jealous! Those are phenomenal Steve!

Jim


Thanks very much Jim, I really appreciate that. Every so often fortune falls in my lap and a species I don't normally see will show up. It's those days that keeps me hard at it, if I'm not out there fortune won't find me.

I spent some time just now at your site/galleries. I couldn't be more impressed, truly art in every sense of the word. Incredible work.