quinn222

I went out shooting today. First I went to the Savannas but not much happening there (crane chicks haven't hatched yet) so then I went to the river. It was a Sunday morning and even though it was early there were people around, mostly folks launching their boats. As I walked towards the river there were two youngish guys walking the same way. They said 'hi' and moved towards the river path. I didn't think any more about it. Then a few minutes later as I was set up they came up to me. They had to have doubled back on purpose as I had gone another way. They asked if I took pictures for a living and wanted to take a picture with my camera. Needless to say I said no. It took some doing but they finally left. Made me pretty uncomfortable. I have my tripod and the camera with a long lens on it. I'm not inconspicuous. The tripod itself with it's heavy ballhead is a pretty good weapon and when I left for the day I had it slung over my shoulder with the legs extended (which is how I always carry it) and I noticed the same two guys walking parallel with me and off to the side. I stopped at the ramp where some guys were launching a boat and watched. The two scary guys had moved their car next to mine (they hadn't parked there when they arrived) and were hanging around it. I stayed with the other people and they eventually left. I hate feeling threatened doing something I love but it would be foolish to assume they meant no harm, even if they did mean no harm. It was too suspicious. It's possible they were there to see if someone left a bag or something in their car while out boating and saw my gear as a target.

Anyway, I did get some good shots:

I was shooting the spanish moss on a tree across the inlet when this bird flew in right in front of my lens. As you can see it took me a few shots to catch up with the new target!




This is a juvenile Golden Crowned Night Heron by the way. Possibly the offspring of the bird I shot earlier this week.

Nearly as soon as he landed he dove in for a crab.




As you can see in the next few images the youngster is really well camouflaged. Unlike the adult who stood where she was and ate her crab this guy scampered into the rocks with his right away.







He caught another one a few minutes later but he lost it!




while shooting the second crab catch I was standing about 3 feet from a tree. I heard a scratching noise and turned and caught this. I was so close I had a hard time getting the long lens to focus on him!