I'll be going for the first time in a couple weeks, and I don't know what the terrain is like. Do I need any kind of special footwear (like waterproof boots, etc.)? Any other suggestions re: clothing/gear?
I have a new 7D (woohoo) but only the kit lens 18-135mm. What lens would you recommend I rent? 500 f4?
**Thank you** in advance for your time and suggestions.
Posted by Keith Bauer on December 21, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Hi Rebecka: You don't need waterproof boots to visit and photograph at Bosque Del Apache. Everywhere that you are allowed to go should be dry (unless it rains/snows a lot). You should think about warm footwear however as the mornings can be pretty chilly. As far a clothing goes, think layers. It will be cold in the early hours and warm up as the day progresses.
Lenses: I shoot with a 500 f/4 with the 1.4x TC on most of the time at the refuge. There are certainly plenty of opportunities to shoot with a wider lens, especially at sunrise if the sun/weather cooperates for you.
Please feel free to shoot me questions about the refuge. I'm only 90 minutes away and have the opportunity to shoot there regularly. Happy to help.
Keith
Posted by Sally King on December 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Keith has given you some good advice. I live a bit further away (3 hr drive each way) but try to make it there at least once a month. I especially think warm clothing is something people not familiar with the area need to know to bring. Cold fingers and feet don't make for good shooting. I use a 80 - 400 and it works well for me. I recommend that after shooting cranes and geese in the AM you check out both the Farm and Marsh loops carefully (you never know what you may find). Also the native plant garden behind the visitor center. That's where the pyrruloxias, curved-billed thrashers, etc like to hang out. For the most part you will either be shooting from your car or right beside the road. There is a nice boardwalk on the Marsh loop. Like Keith if you have any further questions don't hestitate to contact me. I hope you have a marvelous time. PS There have been a number of bobcat and mountain lion sightings along the loop drives recently too if you aren't limiting yourself to birds.
Thank you both so much!!! I will take your advice... warm footwear, layers, Farm and Marsh loops... and Sally, I did read that some parts of the reserve are actually closed because of the mountain lion activity -- would love to actually spot one! Hopefully I'll be posting the fruits of my labors here later next month...
Posted by Richard Ditch on December 22, 2010 at 5:36 PM
You'll love Bosque.
Long lenses are wonderful tools there and whatever you bring will be useful. But if your experience to date is limited to 135mm max then be prepared for a steep learning curve with a beast like the 500/4. What will you do to support such a large lens? Can you get some time using one in advance of the trip - say along Pleasant Plains Road in the Great Swamp? It would be a shame to have your first visit to Bosque compromised dealing with unfamiliar long lens issues.
Posted by Nate Chappell on December 22, 2010 at 10:23 PM
As Richard said unless you have a serious tripod and good gimbal/head or ballhead as well as some practice time you may have a tough time with the 500mm. I would also consider using a 100-400 zoom, a 300mm F4 with tc's or a 400mm F5.6 which are much more manageable in terms of weight and support needed.
If you get up very early for the blastoff, go to the road near the flight deck before dawn for the sunrise blastoff. As soon as the sun rises drive back up the freeway to the crane pools which are on the left handside of the road as you go North. You should be able to get some nice take off shots of the cranes there. After that as Sally said driving the loops is usually productive. Go back to the crane pools just before sunset to get some nice silhouettes of them coming in to land.
Discussion
5 repliesI have a new 7D (woohoo) but only the kit lens 18-135mm. What lens would you recommend I rent? 500 f4?
**Thank you** in advance for your time and suggestions.
Lenses: I shoot with a 500 f/4 with the 1.4x TC on most of the time at the refuge. There are certainly plenty of opportunities to shoot with a wider lens, especially at sunrise if the sun/weather cooperates for you.
Please feel free to shoot me questions about the refuge. I'm only 90 minutes away and have the opportunity to shoot there regularly. Happy to help.
Keith
Long lenses are wonderful tools there and whatever you bring will be useful. But if your experience to date is limited to 135mm max then be prepared for a steep learning curve with a beast like the 500/4. What will you do to support such a large lens? Can you get some time using one in advance of the trip - say along Pleasant Plains Road in the Great Swamp? It would be a shame to have your first visit to Bosque compromised dealing with unfamiliar long lens issues.
If you get up very early for the blastoff, go to the road near the flight deck before dawn for the sunrise blastoff. As soon as the sun rises drive back up the freeway to the crane pools which are on the left handside of the road as you go North. You should be able to get some nice take off shots of the cranes there. After that as Sally said driving the loops is usually productive. Go back to the crane pools just before sunset to get some nice silhouettes of them coming in to land.