Post your best bird shots!

[Joel Eade]

I was looking for the big Canon lens. The obvious is of course right up front on the right side, but that would be too easy and everyone else guessed it. There does look to be another big Canon Lens in the back ground but I am not sure if it is a Canon lens.

So the only way I can be right and everyone else be wrong is I am going to go with one of the guys with the big Nikon's. Joel, I didn't know you switched to Nikon.
Bob: is it typically this crowded at this place? I would have expected far fewer big lenses. Is it a place where you have to stay on designated trails or can you hike any where you want?

Sometimes the obvious answer is right, sometimes not......

This pond, on the way into the refuge, holds many roosting birds so everyone gathers there at dawn for the blast off. Once the birds leave to feed in the grain fields everyone sort of spreads out along the 12 mile loop in the refuge so it is not really crowded.

Where you can go is pretty tightly controlled but there are many opportunities for good photo locations. You can stop and get out of your vehicle anywhere, there are designated walking trails and several observation decks. The fields themselves are off limits, besides they are all separated from the road by a deep, water filled ditch!

It's an amazing place to see, I would love to go back....I have recommended that Bob start a limited guide service

[ddt0725]

It's an amazing place to see, I would love to go back....I have recommended that Bob start a limited guide service

I'm in!!

[bob williams]

Originally Posted by Joel Eade
It's an amazing place to see, I would love to go back....I have recommended that Bob start a limited guide service



I'm in!!

Yes he did and I am considering it. Of Course, all of my TDP friends would get a significant discount.

[bob williams]

Sometimes the obvious answer is right, sometimes not....

Yep

[bob williams]

Bob: is it typically this crowded at this place? I would have expected far fewer big lenses. Is it a place where you have to stay on designated trails or can you hike any where you want?

To add to what Joel said: Often times, I have been out there and haven't seen anyone else. The areas with large collections of crane and snow geese usually attract quite a few people, especially in early morning or just before sunset. Weekends and holidays are normally busier than weekdays. But even when it is busy, there are many good places to shoot that are completely private. For me, the worst time to go is in November during the "Festival of Cranes". It gets very crowded then, but there are a lot of really good workshops and presentations by well known photographers and sponsors.