Set # 1: Another trip to High Island 4/17/11

[Shadow]

Spent a gorgeous day a High Island, with my 16 year-old daughter this time. She shot mostly with my 70-200VR / TC17E teleconverter, which gave her 340mm F4.8 on my old D80. She's developing a good eye for bird spotting, and scored a Swainson's Warbler in the shadows along the way! The Songbirds are starting to turn up in good numbers and greater variety. Once again, the most productive Songbird area was the Mulberry trees in the middle of the Smith Oaks parking loop near sunset. Action was pretty decent in the photo blinds too. The posted policies have changed this year. Previously, nobody without a paid reservation was allowed to use the blinds, even if positions were available. Now it says that priority is to be given to those with reservations. Much more intelligent! This makes up partly for the new tripod restrictions on the platforms. Speaking of which, signs have now been posted indicating the ban on entry and at all but the new tripod photography platform. Nobody was violating these new rules while we were there.


New Tripod Ban Policy by Shadow Hunter, on Flickr

Here's the first few shots, the Great Egret was one of my daughter's.


Spring is in the Air! by Shadow Hunter, on Flickr

Orchard Oriole


Curious Fellow by Shadow Hunter, on Flickr

Orchard Oriole & Painted Bunting


Close Encounter by Shadow Hunter, on Flickr

Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak


Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak by Shadow Hunter, on Flickr

[Will Rountree]

Nice captures, hope some turn up during the week as the winds are from the South the rest of the week!

[Stargazer77517]

WOW Quite a selection of birds.

[mkweaver]

Great! I'm heading up that way this week.

[Tim T]

Great series Bruce, except for the first one.

[DougC]

Bruce,

Great stuff! Glad to see there are still good opportunities even with the new rules. I'm still boycotting the place even though it will make no difference in the long run. I will never contribute to the HAS again.

[preames]

Really nice Bruce! They are all beautiful images but tell your daughter she got the shot of the day!

[David Alaniz]

Enjoyed the set. Notice - Daughther Wins Big! The #1 sign is So Blurred I cann't read what it says ;-).

[scottbuckel]

Nice series of images.

Gee I thought we could not use tripods on certain platforms, now the band does not allow me to photograph my tripod on the platform ;-)

Scott

[jfoureyes]

Excellent set Bruce...your daughter has a good eye with skills to match

[Shadow]

Thanks, guys. Perfect day, just before the weather changed....

[corralup]

Ask your daughter if she wants to sell that egret shot. She has a paying customer here!
Great post Bruce!

[Stargazer77517]

Bruce, That one by your daughter is really top shelf.

[Laohutu]

Great shot! Your daughter is smarter than you apparently...

What do you mean a reservation is needed? do we have to call them before coming? Do you have the number?

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by Laohutu

Great shot! Your daughter is smarter than you apparently...

What do you mean a reservation is needed? do we have to call them before coming? Do you have the number?

You need a reservation for the photo blind at boy scout woods.