Bbsp.

[Nocturnus]

Is anytime in Feb a good time to head there? Looking at doing a 2 day trip staying in a shelter while I'm there. Just needing info on if that's a good bird time.

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

Is anytime in Feb a good time to head there? Looking at doing a 2 day trip staying in a shelter while I'm there. Just needing info on if that's a good bird time.

If it were me I'd wait until March or April when it warms a little in this area....Thats when I do all most all of my bird shooting out there You can see in the Nature Forum what the regular shooter out there are doing by checking their post. And it all depends on the weather conditions too. I shoot out there all twelve months of the year but my subjects are not just birds.

[auddii]

The weather has been a little warmer this year, and so when I was there last weekend, there were a few birds around. I don't think I'd risk a whole trip on a few straggling birds. And Jim has probably been there far more often than me, so I'd listen to him.

[Nocturnus]

Yeah. I just need to figure out when, so I can reserve my shelter there a bit before time.

[Stargazer77517]

Ed, I am putting together a gathering on April 13th at BBSP. Last year at that time was great.

[Nocturnus]

I have other plans for that weekend in April. I was looking at maybe like getting out there like 3/23 (if there are any spots to camp).

And, I just called Texas Parks and Wildlife. All weekends are booked till mid May.

Is there anything else to do over that way, since I'd be there from Friday till Sunday. I see there are a few wildlife refuges along the coast. Trip to any of those worth it?

Hotel room and 400 5.6L are reserved.

Any pointers on where to shoot?

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

I have other plans for that weekend in April. I was looking at maybe like getting out there like 3/23 (if there are any spots to camp).

And, I just called Texas Parks and Wildlife. All weekends are booked till mid May.

I might just get a hotel up in Rosenberg. Is there anything else to do over that way, since I'd be there from Friday till Sunday. I see there are a few wildlife refuges along the coast. Trip to any of those worth it?

Any pointers on where to shoot?

Weekends are really busy at BBSP this time of year until the summer and I always go during the middle of the week... Tuesday thru Thursday...my advice for a weekend visit is to get a "early" (sunrise) start because by 9:00 am the bike riders and hikers will be out in force...good luck!

[Nocturnus]

I'll be a bike rider myself. Just to be able to get around quicker. I ended up moving things.. I'll be there 3/25-3/27..

Also, what would be a better choice. The 400 5.6L or the 100-400L. I have a 24-70 and 70-200 right now in my kit.

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

I'll be a bike rider myself. Just to be able to get around quicker. I ended up moving things.. I'll be there 3/25-3/27..

Also, what would be a better choice. The 400 5.6L or the 100-400L. I have a 24-70 and 70-200 right now in my kit.

For birds and critters 400 will be good...24-70 for everything else. I see lots of folks using the 100-400 too. I usually carry 24, 75-300 this time of year when I'm not doing macro. When doing macro I use 180 and put the 24 in the bag just in case I get in a landscape mood...be sure to bring skeeter spray too!

[Nocturnus]

Macro lens, I don't have. But I'm getting extension tubes. Wonder how that 400 would be with a stack of tubes on it. heh. I'll end up using the tubes with the 70-200.

I also rented the Tokina 11-16 hoping the nights I'm there will be clear and that there isn't a ton of light pollution there.

I've been debating since yesterday if I want to change the 400L to the 100-400..

[jfoureyes]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

Macro lens, I don't have. But I'm getting extension tubes. Wonder how that 400 would be with a stack of tubes on it. heh. I'll end up using the tubes with the 70-200.

I also rented the Tokina 11-16 hoping the nights I'm there will be clear and that there isn't a ton of light pollution there.

I've been debating since yesterday if I want to change the 400L to the 100-400..

I have seen some star trail photos from there but haven't done any myself... the light pollution isn't too bad as far as I know but I'm far from an expert on that kind of stuff.

Tubes will work fine on your 100-400 for some closeup work too. I use an ol' AF 75-300 + 25mm tube sometimes to shoot dragonflies, butterflies, and little tree frogs. Here's one and this guy was about an inch long..

[Nocturnus]

I like that.. I'm still debating my telephoto choices.

I can def see the IS on the 100-400 helping me, but last time I rented the 400L, I loved it.. Fast and light.