Life, and death...in sharp detail

[zackiedawg]

When I'm not shooting at Disney, I have been enjoying weekends at the wetlands, especially as the bird life starts to get thicker and thicker in the approach to winter season. ; And I've been thoroughly enjoying doing so with my Minolta 300mm F4 APO, which is just a ridiculously sharp lens with such lovely bokeh that I can't seem to take it off my camera when I'm out there! ; Here are some of my more recent shots out there, that demonstrate the lovely sharp detail from this beast (links to original 1024x versions below each hotlinked photo, to really see the sharpness):

Tricolor heron in a tree:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128052385/original

Juvenile red-shouldered hawk on a tree stump, being bothered by a wasp:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128146928/original

Juvenile tricolor heron, up really close:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128146914/original

Purple gallinule having a drink:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698718/original

Another tricolor who let me get close:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698689/original

Mating duel between two boattailed grackles - that's some shallow DOF!:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698681/original

Baby red-eared slider, whose life is flashing before its eyes as it goes on the menu of the great blue heron:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698675/original

One young life ends, while another begins...a baby moorhen:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698674/original

Juvenile purple gallinule walking through the high reeds:

http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg/image/128698702/original

 

[Roger]

Great series Justin!

 

[HW]

very nice Justin. the one with the turtle is great. I still cannot believe how close you get with only 450 crop

 

[jbwolffiv]

Another great set Justin!

 

[goofmick]

Those are great Justin!!

 

[PolynesianMedic]

Justin that lens is amazing! ; Great shots.

 

[zackiedawg]

Thanks all. ; Anyone up for extending Pixelmania vacation to a 2-day post-mania excursion to S Fla, I'd be happy to lead a few bird and wildlife safaris! ;