[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Cool shots, DC. Been there, standing around for hours only to see a cool scene happen at the very edge of the lens's range.

Agreed. Most of my kite shots are iffy because of the distance, even at 700mm. They seem to prefer the opposite side of the railroad tracks from wherever I choose to wait

[dcstep]

Thanks Mark and Ed. The time invested is an important part of wildlife photography. The time that I spent yesterday doesn't include an equal amount of time spent the Saturday before, in fog (hoping for a burn off) and coming up close to empty. (I did get some soaring shots in the fog).

I remember a documentary about a snow leopard, that lives in remote mountains, somewhere in Eastern Russia. They got beautiful shots, in the winter, in snow. They had a short after the episode, disclosing that only on their third trip did they get a single shot. They spent weeks on a mountainside, in the dead of winter, eyes constantly scanning, cameras at the ready before they got their first shots.

That put my small waits into context for me. I'm constantly reminded by the would be photographers that come up to me and ask, "What you shooting?" and I say, "Nothing yet, but I'm hoping such and such..." Many will have the same equipment as me, but turn around and leave.

[M_Six]

Last time that happened to me an eagle showed up 3 minutes after the other photog left. He hung out maybe 5 minutes. I'd been there for hours.

[Itsed65]

Hawk in Flight #30 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Nice, sharp hawk Ed.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by dcstep

Nice, sharp hawk Ed.

[Itsed65]

Thanks guys. I had a very good day out today. I took advantage of the holiday to drive up to the Sacramento NWR, and was greeted by two bald eagles right by the entrance. Not super common in these parts.

Young Bald Eagle by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Beauty, Ed. Nice and sharp, as always with your pics.

[Itsed65]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Beauty, Ed. Nice and sharp, as always with your pics.

Thanks Mark!

Trust me. I take plenty that aren't sharp, I just don't post or even keep them. I've gotten much better using the delete key over the past few years.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Trust me. I take plenty that aren't sharp, I just don't post or even keep them. I've gotten much better using the delete key over the past few years.

I hear you, brother.

[Itsed65]

A Sky Full of Ibis by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[M_Six]

^^^Cool!! I always thought those were strictly African continent birds, but a quick Google search shows they're pretty widespread. Great shot, Ed. Love the colors.

[dcstep]

Great shot Ed. We get white-faced ibis passing through in the spring. You really captured the iridescence on their backs.

[dcstep]

Pink & Blue Pre-dawn Silhouette by David Stephens, on Flickr

[M_Six]

Gotta admire your dedication DC. Pre-dawn? I'm snoozin' away. Very cool pic, though. Great colors.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Gotta admire your dedication DC. Pre-dawn? I'm snoozin' away. Very cool pic, though. Great colors.

It's much easier when dawn is 7:18! I miss a lot of dawns in the summer, but around here, winter gives the best twilight.

[dcstep]

Waxing Gibbous Moon by David Stephens, on Flickr

[Itsed65]

Love that sunrise Dave. Nice use of all that resolution.

[Itsed65]

Bald Eagle #2 by lennycarl08, on Flickr

[dcstep]

Oh wow! Ed, it looks like number 2 came nice and close and you nailed focus and exposure. Great pose also.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Itsed65

Love that sunrise Dave. Nice use of all that resolution.

Thanks.

I need to start using the tripod for more of those. I have visions of a 72" print someday, taking full advantage of all those pixels.

[justanotherdude]

Chicago From The Windows by Darrick Snyder, on Flickr