ART-scoping by Angie's photostream  

APO LEICA Televid 77 spotting scope, Leica 32X fixed lens, Kowa TSN-DA3 Universal Mount System, Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod,Manfrotto 501 head and a Nikon Coolpix P6000 = digiscoping.

Was a long time since I went to Alligator Farm. Gas prices have really affected my traveling. Seems I am the only photographer out here in Da Woods that like to travel out of the county at times. Still, it felt good to get there last week and use my scope. I need to get back there soon before the Night Herons leave to make room for the incoming nesters.

The eyes of the BCNH are red. The sun hitting this one's eye has weakend the red pigments. Hope to get a full blown red eye today!

Black-crowned Night Heron, Alligator Farm, St Augustine, FLorida

Please visit my other site if you have time:

www.flickr.com/photos/birds-by-angie

APO LEICA Televid 77 spotting scope, Leica 32X fixed lens, Kowa TSN-DA3 Universal Mount System, Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod,Manfrotto 501 head and a Nikon Coolpix P6000 = digiscoping.

There were only a few adult Night Herons at Alligator Farm last week. I'm heading out in an hour to see if there will be more today. Just something about those eyes of theirs. YCNH have more of an orange eye then the BCNH. This image is cropped a LOT to show the eye.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Alligator Farm, St Augustine, FL

Please visit my DSLR site if you have time:
www.flickr.com/photos/birds-by-angie

Looks better on Original:
www.flickr.com/photos/angies-birds/6781496851/sizes/o/in/...

Artsy version of the American Bittern we saw on the Ocklawaha River. Dead vegetation from the draw down really makes for an interesting back drop. Too think that in April all this will be flooded by water, again. Let's hope the Bittern doesn't become too comfortable with his new digs!!

Original image is on my DSLR site:
www.flickr.com/photos/birds-by-angie

American Bittern and Water-snake, Ocklawaha River, FL

So do the Cranes. Was fun trying to emulate a rising, or perhaps, setting sun. I am much better at "making" a sunrise then actually taking one with my Canon. I admire those shooters, like my friend WILLIAM (www.flickr.com/photos/40273664@N03/) who nails them everytime.

Looks better on LARGE:
www.flickr.com/photos/angies-birds/6781496301/sizes/l/in/...

I am thinking that Canvas may be the best way to feature these two Artscapes. Canvas is very forgiving!!

The original shot is on my DSLR site:
www.flickr.com/photos/birds-by-angie

Sandhill Cranes, Ocklawaha River, FL

That's what they are doing! Very patiently straining their long necks checking for little fish swimming by. They stir the mud with one foot to entice their prey, then strike! This is the only time I found many Great Egrets so close to the boat ramp road. It was late in the day which didn't help with the light situation. So, I put these guys through a program or two, tweaked this and that and Voile'...the OLD POSTCARD look of yesteryear!! I have some old post cards from my Grandparents that have this same type of old glow to them. It seems to work for this image.

The next day there was no longer any pools of water so close to shore and the birds have been scattered all over the river ever since. Now the banks are huge dried piles of vegetation with more and more shore fisherman showing up everyday. The Ocklawaha River is almost at it's natural state, slithering through these dried beds. It's quite an exciting time to see this"old" friend again. She won't stay long as she will be flooded over, again, come April. It is a beautiful tragedy that is replayed every 3/4 years. It is one that should be halted for good so nature can take it's proper course. That's how I see it...that's how SHE, The Ocklawaha River, sees it. But, who are we??? Nobodies. And so it goes....

Great Egrets, Kenwood Campground, Orange Springs, FL