Winter Wildlife

**Michael** · 12-27-2011, 02:24 AM

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has been out taking photographs! My family and I went canoeing in Northern Florida this afternoon and I got a few shots of the local wildlife. I had never shot from a canoe before and it was certainly a challenge. Even with IS on the long lens and high shutter speeds, I was fighting motion blur from the boat. In addition, keeping a big lens dry while paddling is not particularly easy.

Most of these were taken with a 7D and a 300mm f/2.8 IS L, some were shot with a 60 D with a 17-40mm f/4 L or a 70-200mm f/2.8 L. The ISO was at 800, and shutter speed was between 1/1600 and 1/2500 sec, except for the hawk which was 1/800. As always, feedback and critique is appreciated!

A baby turtle sits on a log moments before dropping into the river.

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A flock of white ibises perch in a tree.

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A white ibis flying overhead.

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A hawk perches in a tree next to the water.

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A coot runs across the water as it takes off.

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An anhinga up close.

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**Andrea Brewing** · 12-27-2011, 05:05 AM

Very nice pics. I think the hawk is my favourite! And good job shooting from a canoe. I am terrified in a canoe. But being a fishing girl, I am trying to get used to it. Hubby has been told he has to warn me if he has to sneeze so I can hold on with both hands!

**marcoattilio** · 12-27-2011, 05:56 AM

Nice, very nice shots Michael! It's nice when I can catch animals in their "world" and you had so many...! My fovorite is the "take off running".
Canoe? On the end of December...? Not the right activity for this Season, here in Bavaria...... Anyway Xmas was warm and nice, together the family.

**Steve Paxton** · 12-27-2011, 09:41 AM

Wonderful images! Of course I had to share one of them as an Image of the Day. ;)

**Michael** · 12-28-2011, 11:27 PM

Thanks everyone! I went kayaking today and shot more wildlife images than I know what to do with, so more images are coming soon.

@Andrea- I can relate, I was a little wary about kayaking today. The last time I went, a friend tipped my kayak and sank the point and shoot I was using. This time, I took a dry bag. :)

@Marco- Glad you had a good Christmas! Its not exactly the right season here either, today the kayaks had ice on them when we loaded them on the car!

@Steve- Thanks! I liked that one of the anhinga too, they have such funny looking faces.