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Posted by Paul-the-other on 01:40:01 11/17/08
A productive morning was spent at Okeeheelee Nature Center off of Forest Hill Blvd in Palm Beach Co. Setting up at 7:45 A.M. we were treated with a royal display of color from 3 male and 8 female painted buntings, a small unnumbered flock of red-winged black birds, about 15 mourning dove, three cardinals and best news of all.....only one squirrel. The photo shoot was successful for about 30 minutes until a red-shoulderd hawk entered court. It took about 30 minutes for the show to begin again which it did and continued until 10:00 AM.
The feeding station in back of the Center is a great place to photograph buntings. Distance is about 12 feet and the props and displays are nicely placed. Fresh water and seed (far too abundant) draws the birds in. The tight confines of the area present a challenge for "quick shots." 300 mm is more than adequate but the light is a problem coming strongly from the right side and causing flare on glasses, lenses etc. It is fine from 8-9:30 but then the sun tops a cocoplum barrier and really is annoying. Think of it as shooting into an area shaped like the letter C with the top being east and the bottom west. Quite restricted. There is a high feeder stand unreachable and generally ignored by photographers. Low shoots are best but bring a seat, blanket, or bucket because the cement is both hard and cold---especially when it is 54 degrees with a 15 mph wind blowing.
The clear cool weather of this week should be a great time for visiting bird photographers to check out this site. It is 10 minutes from there to Green Cay, Wakodahatchee or Loxahatchee.
Regrettably, no ovenbird this time. That regular for the past three years has either gone on to the great cuttlebone in the sky or hasn't reached here yet.
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