Trip to Orlando Wetlands

[Second Hand Pat]

The Orlando Wetlands is run by the City of Orlando and is a artificial wetland for purification of reclaimed water. It's also a mecca for birds, gators and other wildlife. It a great place for photographers. The larger wading birds are mating, nest building and raising a ruckus. The great blue heron in the images below is the same bird. It circled the pond and I took about 30 images. The lighting and backgrounds were gorgeous so I processed several in the images. Hope you enjoy.
Pat

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[brewmaster15]

Pat those are some nice captures! What time of day was it? These were taken with a 400mm? Are they heavily cropped or was he close to you? I know from my birding that for some reason its easier to get closer to these guys when theres alot of activity going on.. here in CT they tend to be largely alone and standoffish . Its hard to get close unless they are focused on eating. Sometimes if they are eating they will be right in front of you and not even care.
Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat those are some nice captures! What time of day was it? These were taken with a 400mm? Are they heavily cropped or was he close to you? I know from my birding that for some reason its easier to get closer to these guys when theres alot of activity going on.. here in CT they tend to be largely alone and standoffish . Its hard to get close unless they are focused on eating. Sometimes if they are eating they will be right in front of you and not even care.
Al

Thanks Al, it was about 8ish in the morning and the fog was still lifting off the ground. It adds to the blue haze in some of the images. I was shooting with a 4.5 400 prime with a TC 2.0 so was shooting at 800mm. The images were only lightly cropped for composition only.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

I caught this spoonie hunting for nesting materials amongst the cypress trees.

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[brewmaster15]

I caught this spoonie hunting for nesting materials amongst the cypress trees.

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Very pretty image! I have never been able to capture a good image of them when I have been birding in Florida.. always too far away or I was there at the wrong time. My camera gear back then lacked the reach. I think spoonbills are one of the coolest birds out there.

Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Very pretty image! I have never been able to capture a good image of them when I have been birding in Florida.. always too far away or I was there at the wrong time. My camera gear back then lacked the reach. I think spoonbills are one of the coolest birds out there.

Al

Thank you Al, if you are ever in Florida in April I am taking you to the Stick Marsh. The flight opportunities were amazing...

Early Morning Spoonie

Coming in Hot

[Second Hand Pat]

Coot Racing Shutter speed was a little slow but added nice touch to the water.

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[Greg-Florida]

Wow Pat!
Beautiful spoonie pics!
I was very lucky to have lived on a waterfront property for over 10 years adjacent to the Spring Hammock Preserve also adjacent to a few huge lakes so we saw all the birds in our back yard.
Love these pictures! Thanks for sharing them.
Greg

[Second Hand Pat]

Wow Pat!
Beautiful spoonie pics!
I was very lucky to have lived on a waterfront property for over 10 years adjacent to the Spring Hammock Preserve also adjacent to a few huge lakes so we saw all the birds in our back yard.
Love these pictures! Thanks for sharing them.
Greg

Why thank you Greg and glad you enjoyed them
Pat

[LizStreithorst]

What an unusual and beautiful bird that Spoon Bill is. Beautiful pics as always, Pat.

[Second Hand Pat]

What an unusual and beautiful bird that Spoon Bill is. Beautiful pics as always, Pat.

Thank you Liz and like you, I too love the spoonies (easier to say)
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

A friend and I returned to Orlando Wetlands the other evening. I was hoping for some baby spoonies shots but something raided the nest and it was gone. Still got some nice shots.

Branch Hopping by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Leap of Faith by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Glossy Ibis by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Hungry by Pat Husband, on Flickr

Evening Preen by Pat Husband, on Flickr

[LizStreithorst]

I've run out of superlatives when I look at your pictures. These are so good, that I don't know if you will be able to top them. I hope you do. I love eye candy.

[dagray]

Lovely Pat

Print on metal

Heck your bird photos would make great prints and greeting cards

[Greg-Florida]

I've run out of superlatives when I look at your pictures. These are so good, that I don't know if you will be able to top them. I hope you do. I love eye candy.

Ditto, Pat! I know this is a hobby for you, but an option is to monetize your skills and efforts. You could partner with someone who would do all that, and knows how. (Not me.)
Keep them coming, they brighten my day!
Greg