Sora, Bailey Tract, Sanibel, Florida. I had fun at this location photographing this rail and other birds yesterday with my Canon SX 50 HS point and shoot super-zoom camera.
Soras are usually secretive birds that stay in the shadows, but this one came out into the sun and the open at the end of the day, hunting for food before the cold (for here) night set in.
Soras are beautifully colored and I love their tail. It reminds me of a White-tailed Deer's tail.
The Sora was on the first water area on the right on the main trail. Here's a long view with an immature White Ibis for scale.
There were many ducks there. I will post more about them tomorrow. Here's a female Mottled Duck, resting in the grasses, but still alert. One of the things I like about the Canon SX 50 HS camera is the fact that it zoom out to 1200mm (and beyond in the digital range, up to 4800mm) which allows you to get close photos of birds without disturbing them. This is a big plus in bird photography.
An immature Osprey sat on a dead tree, surveying the scene, eyes alert. I always am paying attention to the way the light falls on the bird and what subtle and unique photos it makes. One does not always have to have a perfectly front lit bird for an interesting photo.
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| Here it is showing the whole body. |
This immature Tri-colored Heron still has rust colors in its plumage and was dramatically posed in the late sunlight against the dark water.
Photography is so much fun. I enjoy playing with the effects of light and shadow and capturing intimate glimpses of birds.