Here are a few more images from our little birding trips earlier this week..
American Coot
American Coot, (Fulica americana). Mia McPherson told me that this specie is one of the hardest to photograph, because getting the exposure right is so difficult, with the dark blacks, and that white bill. I can certainly agree with her. On several occasions I have tried to get decent images, and I came up short. This time I think I may have got it right. Photographed with my Canon EOS 7D with Canon 500mm f4 lens and 1.4 tele-converter. 1/1000 sec. @ f8, ISO 250.
Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron, (Ardea herodias). I photographed this wading bird in the waning light. He seems to be just content to stand and just enjoy the day. Actually, I don’t think the light was really waning, but I have always wanted to say that, so I reduced the exposure to make it look that way. It sounds poetic. Canon EOS 7D with Canon 500mm f4 lens and 1.4 tele-converter. 1/1250 sec. @ f6.3, -0.7EV, ISO 100.
American Wigeon
American Wigeon, (Anas americana). I caught this guy swimming in a small neighborhood lake, hanging out with some Ring-necked Ducks. They were pretty far away, so this photo is tightly cropped. In the original image, he was just a smidgeon of a wigeon. Canon EOS 7D with Canon 500mm f4 lens and 1.4 tele-converter. 1/6400 sec. @ f5.6, ISO 800.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Yep! You got the coot just right, Bob, and the side view of the heron is lovely!
Cheers
John
Thanks, John. Because of the dark blacks and the bright white of the bill, the coot is hard to get a good exposure. I shoot in the RAW format with my Canon camera, and it is easier to see the detail in the shadows. I enjoy reading your comments.
Thanks for replying to my comments, Bob! I also shoot in RAW! What do you convert them to after adjustment, or do you keep them as RAW files?
I convert them to JPEGs. Easier to print them, and also to publish them, that way. Some people convert to TIF, but I guess I am just satisfied with JPEG. I do save the RAW original in case I have to go back to it.
That’s an interesting point! I usually save mine as non-lossy TIF files but they do take up a lot of room! Might try your way, Bob!
These are just wonderful! Lovely post and lovely photos. 🙂
Thank you very much, Nandini. I am glad you like them. 🙂
Beautiful shots Bob! We miss our coots and american widgeons this winter in our area. Oh, and thanks for the laughs! 🙂
Thanks so much, Donna. I am glad I could give you a few chuckles. 🙂
There is nothing waning about your wonderful sense of humor, and I think you have more than a smidgeon of talent. These are gorgeous, Bob. The heron in the …soft, calm light and so inviting, however you did it!
You have a nice way with words, too, Cindy. Thank you very much for your kind words. 🙂
Awesome as usual. I bow to you now 🙂
You are so funny. Thank you so much, M2M.
Love your wigeon joke, Bob. Did you tell it to the coot, because he looks like he’s laughing!? I think baby wigeons should be called smidgeons! 🙂
Great idea, Jo. I love to give people a laugh now and then…….. or more often. 🙂
Great photos, great sense of humor!
Thank you very much, Karen. I am glad to give you a laugh. 🙂
I loved your waning light lie (:
Anything to put a smile on your face, Melissa. 🙂
Great job on the coot exposure Bob – they are a pain, for sure. Loved your “smidgeon of a wigeon” line.
Thanks, Ron, and I’m glad you liked a little of my humor. 🙂
I like your “smidgen of a widgen!”
Thanks, I like to give my readers a chuckle now and then. 🙂
The widgeon shot certainly shows why they are also called “Bald Pates”. All three shots well done, Bob.
Thanks so much, Jim. I really appreciate you. 🙂
I love the waning light..very poetic..but the photo is marvelous as usual. I believe you did an excellent job on the Coot. The American Wigeon is great..you got the lighting just right on the colors of his head. Have a great day..and as usual, you gave a smile and laughter..
Thank you very much, Syl. I am glad I could give you a chuckle. I love to keep my sense of humor. 🙂
A wonderful Coot photo Bob, you nailed it! Love the habitat included in the Great Blue Heron image and the beautiful pose of the Wigeon.
Thanks so much, Mia, I thought you would approve. 🙂
Some nice photos Bob! Nice to have some water birds in winter while we’re waiting for the migrants to appear!
I agree with you completely., Linda. 🙂
I had to laugh at the title – sounds like it should be the start of a joke – A coot, a wigeon and a heron enter a bar….. : )
I love your photos – makes me homesick for Texas!
Kathleen
Thanks, Kathleen. If anyone an make a joke of it, I’m the man. 🙂
Your posts always either amaze me or crack me up!! This one does both!
Thanks, Holly. I think my sense of humore showed through again. 🙂