It seems to me that the number of nesting pairs of wading birds along the swamp boardwalk at Gatorland is down 90% from the worst season in recent memory — last season. There are less than a dozen Great Egret nests — several with eggs and one with two fairly large chicks. I noted a grand total of one Snowy Egret nest. The Wood Storks in the big tree opposite the tower seemed to be holding their own but there were no other stork nests across the moat. There were half a dozen spiffy Tricolored Herons flitting about but few other wading birds were present including zero Cattle Egrets and a single fly-by Little Blue Heron. That said, there were a few good photographic opportunities for those willing to see and think outside the box. <\/p>\n
Yes, we should avoid large crowds. And yes, we should do everything possible to boost our immune systems. And yes, for sure, the best way to contract the coronavirus is to get sneezed upon at close range by someone who is carrying the virus or is currently infected. One of the first lessons that I learned when I began working with Dr. Cliff Oliver nearly 25 years ago is that viruses and bacteria are often spread by touch, and then by self-inoculation. First, you touch a surface that has been touched by an infected person, and then we — all humans — touch our eyes, our noses, or our lips or mouthes involuntarily dozens of times each hour thus transmitting the disease to ourselves. <\/p>\n
My suggestion is that when you do go out in public that you touch as few things as possible and that when you do touch something, you do so with a paper towel, a tissue, or a plastic bag protecting your hands. Understand that whatever you are using needs to be discarded and replaced lest the infectious agent live on in your pocket. Open doors with your shoulders. Replace handshakes with elbow bumps. And be sure to take great care when using public bathrooms. Lastly, when you do wash your hands, use soap and warm water for a least twenty seconds. <\/p>\n
When I went into Publix yesterday to pick up a few essentials I grabbed one of the conveniently provided long, skinny plastic “wet umbrella” bags and used it to cover the push bar on my cart. The above, for what it’s worth …<\/p>\n
BIRDS AS ART record low price!<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Rob Heifner is offering a Canon EF 600mm f\/4L IS III USM lens in mint condition for the BAA record-low price of $10,799.00. The sale includes the original product box, the lens trunk, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, the tough front lens cover, an Aquatech soft rubber front lens cap, a Realtree Max-5 LensCoat, a Really Right Stuff dedicated lens plate (LCF-53B), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. <\/p>\n Please contact Rob via via e-mail<\/a> or by phone at 1-281-967-9178 (Central time zone).<\/p>\n The 600 III is the latest Canon version of my favorite weapon of mass destruction for bird photography. With its super balance, light weight, incredible sharpness, and a five-stop Image Stabilization system, the 600 III is a technological marvel. The lens tips the scales at a relatively svelte 6.71 lb \u2014 about one ounce heavier than the SONY 600mm f\/4GM OSS lens. It is a fraction under two pounds lighter than the 600 II. Thus, it is eminently hand-holdable for many folks. As this lens sells new for $12,999.00, you can save a neat $2,200.00 by being the one to grab Rob’s pretty much new lens (plus extras!) right now. This lens is super-sharp with either TC, one of the great advantages of Canon over Nikon.<\/em> artie<\/p>\n BIRDS AS ART record low price!<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Rob Heifner is offering a Canon EF 400mm DO f\/4 IS II USM lens in mint condition for a BAA record-low $3999.00. The sale includes the original product box, the lens trunk, the tough front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens strap, an Aquatech soft rubber front lens cap, Realtree Max-5 LensCoat, a RRS lens plate (LCF-52B), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. <\/p>\n Please contact Rob via via e-mail<\/a> or by phone at 1-281-967-9178 (Central time zone). <\/p>\n I owned and used and loved the 400 DO II when I shot with Canon and found a way to take it on most trips. I took it to Scotland and Nickerson Beach and San Diego. It served me well as my (lighter!) big gun several Galapagos and Southern Ocean (the Falklands and South Georgia) trips. It is a killer for flight photography with or without the 1.4X III TC. It is razor-sharp with the 2X on static subjects and skilled folks have had amazing success hand holding it with the 2X III TC for flight and for action. <\/em> artie<\/p>\n Sold First Day of Listing<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Kevin Spencer is offering a Canon EOS-1D X Mark II body in near-mint condition for a BAA record-low $2,699.00. The body has only 25,914 shutter clicks. The camera was cleaned and checked by CPS on 2-20-20 and the firmware was updated as well. The sale includes the front lens cover, the strap, the CDs, cables and manuals, the original product box, one extra battery with the charger, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made. <\/p>\n Please contact Kevin via e-mail<\/a> or by phone at 1-410.984.3361 (Eastern time zone).<\/p>\n The EOS-1DX Mark II is Canon\u2019s flagship professional camera body. I made many fine images with mine. It is rugged and fast and featured Canon\u2019s best AF system for years. The 1DX II sells new for $5499.00 so you can save a very cool $2800.00 by grabbing Kevin’s camera right now. <\/em> artie<\/p>\n BAA Record-low Price!<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Kevin Spencer is offering a Canon EF 800mm f\/5.6L IS USM lens in excellent condition for $6,799.00. The sale includes the rear lens cap, the lens trunk and key, the original tough front lens cover, a Real Tree LensCoat, drop-in polarizing filter (PL-C52), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. The lens was cleaned and checked by CPS on 2-12-20. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.<\/p>\nCanon EF400mm f\/4 IS DO II USM Lens<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Canon EOS-1D X Mark II<\/strong> <\/h2>\n
Canon 800mm f\/5.6L ISUSM Lens\/with extras!<\/strong> <\/h2>\n