Rookeries are supposed to be a photographer's dream. I find them very difficult because except for the birds flying in and out all the birds are in trees, mostly hidden by leaves and twigs, and it's very difficult to get a clean shot. The clean shots would be the birds on the tops of trees, but that's a steep angle.
Does anybody have any thoughts on what I'm missing here, or how I can make the rookery photography dream come true? Thanks!
It's easy to get overwhelmed when you first see all the birds there, but if you're patient and think out your shots ahead of time many opportunities will present themselves. Knowing and taking time to learn what the birds are doing, i.e. favorite spots to perch, etc, you should come away with several "keepers".
Sharon is spot on. I was there (at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Conservation Park) for two days in 2010. The first day I spent cussing equally the birds and the photographers. The second day, my plan was basically to wait my turn and watch for opportunities. Also to watch the birds to figure out what their behavior was. That helped, and I got a few outstanding shots that I treasure.
I agree with the above posts. Recently at Gatorworld and I also was overwhelmed til I settled down and watched the birds behavior. Came away with some keepers after I figured things out.
Posted by Nick Baldwin on March 25, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Good Morning Barbara, The above posts are right. I Spend time just watching flight paths, times of movements, sun angles. AND if you really want some of the best opportunities, cough up the Photographers fee and come early stay late.
Other photographers will be there but not the kids running and tourists will be gone.
I have been shooting St. Augustine (been a member) for 10 years at least.
One hint: decide to only work on the nesting birds for one day. Don't even need to worry about flight shots. Ignore everyone else and just study a good nest and work on it.
On another day bring your flight lens and ignore the nesting.
Come early and use that sun to it's best advantage. Go off and see other sights while tourists flock in, then return with evening sun and work it's light with only the few fellow photogs.
Week days are best but not magic as those places always have some tourists. (-:
Good Shooting and don't forget St. Augustine/Florida's 10th Annual Birding and PhotoFest last week of April.
att. from Alligator Farm
I wanted to thank you all for your responses. You're all absolutely right. And I carried it one step further today, which is that I don't have the reflexes to work on flight shots at this rookery (small space-wise) unless I just pick a spot and work on the birds coming and going to and from that spot and ignore all the other birds flying around my head (literally sometimes). I still didn't get any great flight shots (having trouble with exposure with all the white birds), but I have a few that might be okay. But, yes, just focusing on one thing at a time and ignoring everything else seems to work well for me.
Nick, the website doesn't mention staying late, and had you not posted I wouldn't have realized that was an option. This morning I asked some of the other photographers about it and they told me how it works. So thank you for that, too!
Discussion
5 repliesDoes anybody have any thoughts on what I'm missing here, or how I can make the rookery photography dream come true? Thanks!
Other photographers will be there but not the kids running and tourists will be gone.
I have been shooting St. Augustine (been a member) for 10 years at least.
One hint: decide to only work on the nesting birds for one day. Don't even need to worry about flight shots. Ignore everyone else and just study a good nest and work on it.
On another day bring your flight lens and ignore the nesting.
Come early and use that sun to it's best advantage. Go off and see other sights while tourists flock in, then return with evening sun and work it's light with only the few fellow photogs.
Week days are best but not magic as those places always have some tourists. (-:
Good Shooting and don't forget St. Augustine/Florida's 10th Annual Birding and PhotoFest last week of April.
att. from Alligator Farm
Nick, the website doesn't mention staying late, and had you not posted I wouldn't have realized that was an option. This morning I asked some of the other photographers about it and they told me how it works. So thank you for that, too!