CCB

Canon 800mm f5.6

I've had the pleasure to test the Canon 800mm f5.6 lens (MSRP $16,000.) and have really put it to work. I have been doing some Birds in Flight but with the Canon 5D it is very difficult at 2.5 fps. Now I want the 1DsMIV which shoots 10fps. The lens is really sharp with great color accuracy, no distortion.

I give it the thumbs up! It has made the SCW preferred list of equipment.

Eagles Are Becoming Regular Sites At The Wetlands

The American Bald Eagle is the symbol of America. Once endangered, they have made an incredible recovery and are abundant on the Space Coast. This year they have been very active at the Viera Wetlands. I was out shooting with my friend Arnold Dubin when this Eagle decided to treat us with some striking poses with superb lighting.

Crested Caracara Starting Active Mode

A common subject of folklore and legends throughout Central and South America, the Crested Caracara is sometimes referred to as the "Mexican eagle."

Their food source includes insects; small and occasionally large vertebrates, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals; eggs; and carrion of all types. This Caracara was waiting for fresh eggs being delivered by this Chicken Turtle. I checked the nest last evening and it had been robbed.

And You Thought You Were Having A Bad Day

One Day you are the king frog and the next you are the meal. This Great Blue Heron was displaying it's catch in cell 1 at the Viera Wetlands. It was an adventure this evening as I am trying out the Canon 800mm f5.6 lens ($12,000.). I was able to capture a few unique images that would not be the same with my 300mm f4 ($1600.). 

This Otter was kicking back after a tough day of scouting and hunting. They have a real personality once they trust you. River otters forage alone or in pairs. They are active during the day and at night, hunting in streams, rivers and ponds for fish, crayfish and turtles. Otters have a high metabolic rate, an adaptation for living in an aquatic environment where body heat is rapidly lost. They need to eat 15% of their body weight a day.

 I also found this Pie-Billed Grebe trying out the Fu Manchu Frogstache. I have to admit I was traveling alone laughing my head off. If the men in the white suits would have seen me they would have taken me away, HA HA.

Last but not least, the Sora.  Although Soras are more often heard than seen, they are sometimes seen walking near open water. They are fairly common, despite a decrease in suitable habitat in recent times. The call is a slow whistled ker-whee, or a descending whinny.

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Blue Winged Teal

The Winter Waterfowl Migration has started with the Blue Winged Teal. Other than that it seems to be a little slow with migration this year. We are blessed to have a lifer for me, the Great Comarant which seems to be enjoying its visit.The bird to the right below is the Great and the one on the left is a immature Double Crested.

You may notice that the main ID is the beak color on the Great is grey and the Double Crested is Orange.