jerome_smith

Brian:

 

Many thanks for sharing the other choices. I agree that new places may provide new opportunities; that was the idea behind my original post. I'm happy to say that many of the responses did provide new

ideas, although I must confess that I anticipated a greater interest.

 

Insofar as the "famous places" are concerned, with time, money and effort being at a premium for most posters, going to any one of the big name hotspots (at the right time) provides the biggest bang for the buck.

 

Thanks again.

Brian:

 

Any chance you'll tell us the choices of the others?

 

 

Thanks

 

JSSmith

I thought I would resurrect this thread to see if there are some new ideas.

For the record, my #1 N.A. destination for bird photography would be So. Fla. (coast-to-coast) in Jan.-Mar. Others include my home state, So. NJ, during Spring (May) migration; Dry Tortugas in Apr.; Rio Grande Valley in Jan.; SE AZ. anytime; Bosque del Apache in winter; Salton Sea in late winter; St. Paul, The Pribilofs in summer; Churchill, Manitoba in June/July; Maine Coast up thru Gaspe' in late May/June/July. I'd love to expand my list of great places,i.e.,good closeup opportunities of a variety of species.

 

Thanks in advance.

Based upon your stated preferences, I'm sure you will enjoy "Nature's Places:Photography by Rod Planck", with text/descriptions by Bert Ebbers.

Has anyone out there shot birds and nature in the Shetland Islands?

As George Costanza would say, "Details...details." I'm thinking about

going and need the how, what, why, etc. Thanks in advance.

Was there May 22 thru Memorial Day. The weather most of that week was unseasonably warm (up to 80 for a few days); as a result much of the most sought after wildlife, i.e., Grizzly and Black Bear, stayed in the woods or at the higher elevations, out of sight. Nevertheless, the mornings and evenings were generally productive, as is usually the case with wildlife. The unseasonable temperatures also meant a faster snow melt, resulting in torrential streams, rivers and falls.

 

The herd animals, elk and bison, were everywhere and easy to photograph. The best bison herd, close in and with calves, was on the road between Madison and West Yellowstone. I also saw the only Trumpeter Swans in the park, a nesting pair, in one of the ponds along that road.

 

While elk were everywhere, I only had one fawn opportunity...just south of Willow Park. Willow Park also produced moose and beaver. The best mature elk (with rack) opportunities were on the road between Mammoth and Tower, plus several early morning moose opportunities. Also along this road, good wildflower shots, and at one pond along the way good close-in YellowHeaded Blackbird, Ruddy Duck (male breeding plumage) and Goldenye shots.

 

Lamar and Hayden Valley opportunities too far away for anything meaningful, but at Lamar I did see (and photograph(for record only)) 2 wolves. Also, continuing up from Lamar to the northeast exit, I got Grouse and Red Fox.

 

The most reliable Pronghorn area is at Yellowstone Park, just outside the Gardiner entrance. It was here that I was fortunate enough to happen upon the birth of Pronghorn twins, fairly close to the road. Got the births start to finish. Also along this road, excellent Meadowlark and Horned Lark opportunities.

 

The crowds were starting to build on Memorial Day weekend, and progress around the park was noticeably slower. My strategy during the preceding week was to drive around endlessly, looking for serendipitous opportunities. It worked, but clearly it would not be the best strategy during the busy season.

 

Good shooting.

Here's an idea given to me by a professional wildlife photog.in Utah a few years ago. While it sounds nutty (I tried it once without success)it is basically viable. Turn your camera into a red flower by putting a painted cardboard collar around your lens. The lens should be a wide angle set to infinity so you don't have to fiddle with focus. Sit quietly where hummers feed, with the sun at your back. When (and if) they fly in and hover to check out your lens, which now looks like a massive red flower, fire away. Who knows...it may work. I'll try again.

Don, Joe, Anthony--great responses. Thanks again.

 

jssmith

From Tahoe, try to get to Mono Lake (George Lepp's most favorite place in the world to shoot), particularly for sunrise and sunset.

 

Good shooting

 

jssmith

Jeff: You didn't specify how much time you have. If you have 2 weeks, why not do both? Land in Phoenix and head north(Page)for one week, return to Phoenix (do the zoo and botanical gardens) and then head to Tucson. You can probably fly home from Tucson at no penalty.

 

It sounds like a lot of driving, but it's do-able. I've done it, and it's a memorable shooting vacation.

 

good shooting

 

jssmith

Mid May is a great time to be in So. Jersey for birds. Not only do you have the shorebirds attracted by the Horseshoe Crab eggs (unfortunately diminished over the years due to over-fishing by commercial fishermen who use them for chum), but also a solid passerine migration Apr.-May 15. In addition to spots already mentioned, look for Higbee Beach Mgt. Area, and further north, Brigantine (Forsyth) NWR.

 

You'll get great diversity during your visit, but unless you're carrying big glass "head shots" will probably be limited to the feeding shorebirds.

 

There is a terrific book on birding NJ, which describes the AM locations in detail. I forget the author's name...perhaps another could post it.

 

Good hunting.

Will be in Tucson this weekend for 2 days, but can't carry all of my

gear this trip. I thought I would limit myself to macro and nature

pictorial, as opposed to my usual birds. Are there any big wildflower

blooms out yet? Other suggestions for macro, 18-35mm and 75-300mm for

this time of year?

I need your response by 2PM (EST) tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

Thanks. I found it on Sunday. Actually easier to make right on SW 176 from

Old Cutler. Anyway, there were feeders, but after 11/2 hrs. no birds other

than a lone Cardinal and 2 Bluejays. Not worth the 1 hr. drive.

On an excursion last year with an Audubon group in So. Miami, I

lamented about the loss of Castello Hammock Park as a result of

hurricane Andrew. The park was the most reliable place I knew of to

take headshots of Painted and Indigo Buntings, White Winged Doves and

other "feeder" and non-feeder birds. Someone mentioned to me that

Bill Sidowski Park (Sp.?) was a reliable alternative.

Can someone help me find Sidowski Park and comment on its bird photo

ops? Where are the feeders? Has Castello Hammock been

rebuilt/reopened? Thanks.

Find the Rutenberg Library grounds in Ft. Myers before going out to Sanibel. Look for burrows marked and cordoned (for protection so they won't get trampled.) There are several burrows around, one just at the front lefthand corner of the tennis courts. It's a reliable place and the locals take great pride in having them on the library/park grounds. Happily, they go out of there way to protect them.

 

The most reliable place that I have found (the owls are always there) is on the east coast near Ft. Lauderdale/Tamarac--a park called Brian Piccolo County (or state) Park, named after the Chicago Bears football player. From I-95, exit at Sheridan (about 2 exits south of Ft. Lauderdale airport) and head west for probably 4-5 miles. You'll see signs for the park. It's a big multi-purpose park with lots of open fields. The burrowing owl burrows are clearly marked and cordoned for their protecton. Naturally, despite the fact that this is an open public parkground, normal bird photography etiquette applys. BTW, they collect $1 per person entry fee on weekends.

 

The 2 AM places should give you your fill of Burrowing Owl shots.

 

Good luck.

I just got back from a week's (Sat 16-Sat 23) bird photography in so.

Fla., including east and west coasts. To expand on Jeff's

report,Everglades NP is slow, with Eco Pond being a total waste for

photographer's due to extreme overgrowth. Anhinga Trail is always

productive, but I wouldn't say there was an abundance of birdlife. At

this time, it took patience to turn up real opportunities ( a Bittern

in the open, nailing a snake.)

 

<p>

 

Loxahatchee is very slow, unless you happen to specialize in Coots

and Moorhens. The water levels are way too high, and apparently the

pumping equipment is not functioning too well. There are,

nevertheless, some opportunities here...it's still the easiest place

to photograph Limkins ang Loggerhead Shrikes.

 

<p>

 

The photographers at Ding Darling were all complaining about the

limited abundance, diversity, and closeup opportunities. What was

there stayed far out most of the time. No great early morning,low

tide feeding frenzies to be had. Still, as always, 3-4 drives around

the 5 mile dike always produces something worthwhile. The best option

was Ft. Myers Beach, where at 3:30 on you can literally walk among

the flocks (at the Holiday Inn beach)and do some afternoonlight

closeups. Look for Oystercatcher, Skimmer, Sanderling, Sandwich and

Royal Tern, Black Bellied Plover and gulls. Unfortunately, the lagoon

was pretty empty, save a Tricolored and some Willets. The causeways

to Sanibel were also productive on one afternoon.

 

<p>

 

Corkscrew was dead, except of course for the Barred Owls.

Venice was great, but early morning fog could be a problem.

There appeared to be significantly less birdlife driving to and from

on I-75.

 

<p>

 

In many of the above mentioned places I'm getting the feeling that

budget cuts have taken their toll on maintainence.

Has anyone had the pleasure of doing nature photography in the high

Arctic, i.e., Barrow,AK, Baffin Is., NWT, St. Lawrence Is., NWT,

etc., etc. Please tell all, and advise us re: time of year, cost,

accommodations, photo tours, photo subjects, anything else.

 

<p>

 

Thanks in advance.

A Cibachrome print from a nicely done, well saturated slide is a

sight to behold. Try it...you'll like it.

A good report by Rich Ditch, et al, but no report can do justice to

the this truly amazing place; it has to be experienced. I just did 3

1/2 days, 24 rolls, there with a friend... pre-sunrise (6:00) to

after sunset (6:00) with little break. The sunrise liftoffs are

spectacular, with the rest of the day spent scouting, by car or foot,

for other opportunities. These included closeups (real closeup)of

Bittern,Glossy Ibis,Gadwall,Pheasant,Meadowlark,Roadrunner,Harlan's

Hawk (dark phase Redtail),Pintail,Shoveler,Coot,Kestrel,Night Heron,

Big Blues and more. Other not so full frame shots are to numerous to

mention, but include Bald Eagle, Whoopers, Harriers, etc. Toward late

afternoon, starting around 3:30 til sundown, the light on the

northern farm fields is magical for shooting the incredible incoming

and outgoing concentrations of Snow Goose, Sandhill, Ducks and

Blackbirds, including Redwing, Brewers and Yellow headed. Three

marauding coyotes in the fields made life interesting for the birds,

and every so often there would be a panic flight of thousands. Often

you can see the coyotes walking away with a Snow Goose in their

mouth, or the 3 of them munching on a downed Sandhill. The combo of

light and concentration makes photography easy and joyful. Here in

the north fields, long lenses are not a must, especially for inflight

shots when long lenses would be cumbersome.

After sunset, returning to the starting point, the front

impoundments, for afterglow scenics, is rewarding.

A highly recommended experience for those who haven't done it yet!

(If you're staying in Socorro, the HONG KONG Chinese Restaurant is

terrific. Food is great, portions are enormous, and price is modest.)

In the Santa Ana Mountains, about 50 minutes on the Santa Ana Freeway

from central L.A., there is a "Tucker Sanctuary" that i learned about

from the old "Lane: Birding in So. California" guide. The sanctuary

has feeders, so the opportunities for closeup photography are good.

I've gotten good shots of Band Tailed Pigeon, California Quail,

Golden Crowned Sparrow, Anna's Hummer, Acorn Woodpecker, et al. I'm

sorry to be vague, but my notes are at home. I'm sure other posters

can fill in the specifics. I do know, however, that from there it's a

short 25 minute ride on Rt.55 to Newport Beach, so you can do the

Sanctuary, Back Bay, and Bolsa Chica all in one day. It's worth

checking out.

 

<p>

 

Good shooting

I guess you missed my point.

The "Location" category currently has 262 posts...only a few are

follow-ups. Rather than pointing out that they can, I was hoping you

would encourage participants to write follow-ups.

Since discovering this forum several months ago I find that my main

interest is reading and learning about great places for wildlife and

nature photography. Every time someone asks about a place, no matter

where or how remote, happily there are at least a few answers to give

him/her a headstart. It occurs to me that this vital aspect of the

forum could be enhanced if photographers would report back after

their trip. Was the info they got accurate? Is there better info? Was

the time right..were the bears there...did the location access

change...etc., etc. Couldn't this follow-up be made an informal

covenant with the group--the payback for asking a travel/location

question? What do you think out there? Mr. moderator?

Thanks

I've always found the last 2 weeks in Nov./first 2 weeks in Dec. to

be optimum at Brig. for Snow Goose migration and staging. BTW, I

attended a slide show last nite given by Kevin Karlsen at Washington

Crossing (National) Audubon and he said that the refuge will allow

goose hunting on Wednesdays. Ugh. Can it be true? Photographers

beware!

Joe McDonald has a couple of nature photo instruction books that are

worthwhile, with some in depth discussion on exposure under different

conditions. George Lepp's "Beyond the Basics I" has a lot of

instruction beyond basics,i.e., polarizing flash, butterfly macro,

aquaria shooting, and, is wonderful to look at. "Beyond the Basics

II" is disappointing on instruction (he ran out of things to talk

about) but is , nevertheless, nice to look at. Rod Planck's "Nature's

Places" is basically a "vanity" book, with nothing say. Nevertheless,

it has some good ideas on locations, and is a visual joy.

How many of you shoot macro with lenses that have no tripod collar? I

use a non-collared zoom 75-300, with TC's and tubes. At 300, with a

couple of the aforementioned accessories hooked in, there is

considerable weight and torque hanging off the front end of the

camera. Ideally,, the weight should be balanced, but with no collar

it's impossible. Kirk solved the problem for the 80-200 Nikon zoom

fans, but what about the rest of us. Any solutions. Thanks