A morning stroll at Corkscrew Swamp

I decided to take today off from work and celebrate my birthday by doing what else...shooting wildlife. No major excursions, just a jaunt down to one of my favorite local wildlife areas. I was the first one there, so it was really a great morning to just be alone with nature. Didn't see another human the entire 2.5 mile walk!

Here's a Red Shouldered hawk that was catching the first rays of morning light. He gave me TONS of shots, but I kinda like these ones. The last one is out of the norm for me. I normally don't like straight on face shots of birds, but I felt like this one worked better than the turned head in this pose. He gave me plenty with the head turned in either direction, but I kept coming back to the straight on view. Would like your opinions on it. Note that in both the first and third I was fighting backlighting from the early morning sun. I used a subtle fill flash to compensate, but didn't want to lose the effect. I think it worked fine.

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/ph...281863-XXL.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/ph...281769-XXL.jpg

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/ph...281685-XXL.jpg

Here is a Purple Gallinule. I finally got one to come into the open long enough for a decent shot! I'd have liked a better POV on this, but the shooting conditions didn't permit it.

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/ph...281502-XXL.jpg

Last but no least, a gool ol' Little Blue Heron:

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/ph...281420-XXL.jpg

Again, nothing spectacular, but a very peaceful morning of shooting.

Nothing spectacular? BS. I think they're all spectacular. I can't think of a better way to spend a birthday.

BTW, how do you tame so many birds? You must be quite the bird tamer. Are they all pets? :D :thumbsup:

Very nice. I like #1 (wings spread a little, one talon up).

Happy B.D. :)

Outstanding, how do you get birds to pose?

Roger

:thumbsup: Wonderfull series , Happy BD

OMG, that last redshouldered hawk is AMAZING

As Knight said, wonderful series :thumbsup:

Cassie.

Great series! Wonderful way to spend your birthday.

I really like the first and second shots.

:eek: WOW

Happy Birthday and Congrats on featured photo!!!

Amber

All great photos. I liked the first, with the position of the foot and the wings. Way to go!

Thanks for the honor of FP! Always humbling, considering the level of images posted in this forum. Was definitely a great birthday!

Congrats on the FP, superb shot :thumbsup:

Cassie.

Outstanding great job as always:thumbsup: