Something new and different

ominous silhouette of a Magnificent Frigatebird digiscope well offshore 13 June

After visiting the family in my previous blog, I poked my head into the local park to see what I could see before the sun set. One of the first things I noticed as I drove into the park was the unmistakable shape of a distant Frigatebird sailing offshore looking for some easy prey. I set up my scope and took a shot of the distant behemoth as it sailed away on bowed wings. I can't say how far away this bird was, but I note that the camera was at maximum zoom mounted behind the scope. Let's just say it wasn't close!

distant Dolphin feeds in rips, digiscoped 13 June '07

Below the Frigatebird a lone Atlantic Bottle-nosed Dolphin fed at the edge of a rip where 2 water currents met. Not my best image ever, but it does prove I note other wildlife species when I'm out. As with the Frigatebird, this animal never came close and since it was actively feeding it only appeared briefly at the surface every 20 seconds or so.

subadult White Ibis molting into its 1st adult plumage

A calm White Ibis perched on a dead mangrove limb seemed like a nice photographic subject. Unfortunately, as soon as I trained my scope and camera, the bird went off like a crazed celeb in the middle of a paparazzi pack!

digiscoped White Ibis shows its scorn

Blame it on teen-age angst I guess... or maybe that crazy rock & roll music!

possible proof of extra terrestrial beings? digiscoped with Leica APO Televid 77 spotting scope and Leica C-Lux 2 camera 13 June 2007

Turning around to face the setting sun I was certain I'd discovered a mutated sea creature or perhaps some extra-terrestrial life form, so I crept around to the sunlit side of this creature and found a tiny gap in the mangrove branches. I set up my scope in hopes of securing my rightful place in tabloid stardom.

adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron digiscoped through branches, 13 June '07

Unfortunately, my claim to fame was short-lived as the bird unruffled its feathers and resumed a more normal, Yellow-crowned Nigh-Heron stance. Adding insult to injury, the "tiny gap" in the branches was a bit TOO tiny to allow me a stick free image. So instead of infamy, I got an almost wonderful image of a blurry stick..... too bad that Night-Heron ruined it by getting all in focus behind it though! ;p

Brown Pelican sails below the setting sun, digiscoped 13 June '07

As the sun finally set, I packed my gear away, and found myself wishing all photographic subjects could be as co-operative as owls!