Meetup Bolivar Flats Friday: 22 April 2011

[crbeveri]

Hey everyone,

I have this Friday off and am thinking of getting up bright and early and checking out the action at Bolivar Flats. I have never been..let alone for birding. Was wondering if anyone would like to join in.

[auddii]

Alas, Baylor has stripped away some of our holidays, and so I have to work. Have fun!

[MT Stringer]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

Hey everyone,

I have this Friday off and am thinking of getting up bright and early and checking out the action at High Island or Bolivar Flats. I have never been to either...let alone for birding. Was wondering if anyone would like to join in. If you have a preference to one or the other I am totally open. Let me know what you think or what would be better to go to.

Just a FYI, if what you have listed in your sig is correct, you might want to skip High Island. You need some big glass to get across the water to the birds on the island. In the past I used 120-300 w/2x TC and that helped and a Sigma 50-500 w/1.4xTC.

However, you should get to see some neat action and experience the joy of having thousands of mosquitoes trying to eat you all at the same time! :-)

Example: High Island Egret - Canon Rebel XT, 50-500 4/1.4x (700mm)

[crbeveri]

Audrey: that really sucks. Ya I have been asking around and it seems like everyone has to work but me. It's strange but I guess this is one perk of working for a small company who's owners are very active christians. Perhaps another time or even Saturday or Sunday. I am kind of hooked on this bird thing to fill my down time from sports :P

Mike: Thanks for your input and thoughts. I don't have it listed but I have a 300mm f/2.8 and also both the 1.4 and 2.0 teleconverters. I have seen images form High Island with 400mm of reach and the images look good. Not sure if the 300 with 1.4 will be ideal. I also noticed about someone posted up about no tripods on the platforms (b/c that makes a lot of since on a photography platform) and not sure if I can get the 1/800sec shutter speeds to hand hold even with IS.

With this noted and the travel time to get to High Island from Cypress I might just do Bolivar Flats this go around and play in the sand. As I have never been to either both will be exciting and a new experience. I am sure I will need multiple visits or a guide (a veteran from TPF) to really find the prime locations.

[Cerbera LM]

Chris but I'm available for Friday or Saturday. I sent you a PM.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by crbeveri

I also noticed about someone posted up about no tripods on the platforms (b/c that makes a lot of since on a photography platform) and not sure if I can get the 1/800sec shutter speeds to hand hold even with IS.

I did fine shooting hand held or with a monopod. A 300mm F2.8 is doable that way too. Heck, there a plenty of 500mm F4 guys who shoot hand held!
I don't find the new tripod platform to be that great to shoot from. The others are far better in terms of distance and subjects. 1/800th is very slow for the focal lengths you're talking about, especially for flight shots.

[bunnyfrogs]

I did the rookery at HI with a 400mm handheld with no problems... almost always shoot that way.

[Stargazer77517]

However, you should get to see some neat action and experience the joy of having thousands of mosquitoes trying to eat you all at the same time! :-)


Amen brother !!! Was thinking of going myself...but I just dont feel like fighting the skeeters, and wearing that spray. Also the spray isnt very good for the cameras. One feller on POTN had to have his rubber grip replaced on the camera because of it. Getting it on his hands and then touching the camera, Turned it white.