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bhf3737 - I like your shots but I have some problems with the ID: these two species are really hard (if hard is enough!) but in generally the Lesser Yellowlegs have dark bill from the base to the point (or almost). From your photos I see bills lighter at the base (actually almost 1/2 of the bill) what is a feature of the Greater Yellow legs. The bill itself is kind of longer than one the Lessers will have - the Greaters have it. The slightly uplifted bill of the Greaters is not always seen! Good feature is the size of the bird if you can compare it with something (not helping in this case, except you did measure the size of the stones around:)). If I'm right and you have the Greater Yellowlegs - I'm really jellos: these are very rare vagrants here... I'm not sure I will see one in my lifespan:cry:!
Good photos anyway!
Thanks ISv. Great observation. I just looked at the feather pattern towards the tail that seems to be a line of dots usually more visible in case of the Lesser. I did not notice the bill and I think you are right. CornellLab's All About Birds says that in the Lesser case the bill is shorter and its length from tip to base is almost the same as from the base to the back of the neck. In case of Greater, the bill is longer. So these were Greater Yellowlegs, I guess. As for size, from the point I saw them, they were about 30cm tall, I think. I hadn't seen them before, so one more in my bookmarks. Thanks again.
 
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ISv

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Thanks ISv. Great observation. I just looked at the feather pattern towards the tail that seems to be a line of dots usually more visible in case of the Lesser. I did not notice the bill and I think you are right. CornellLab's All About Birds says that in the Lesser case the bill is shorter and its length from tip to base is almost the same as from the base to the back of the neck. In case of Greater, the bill is longer. So these were Greater Yellowlegs, I guess. As for size, from the point I saw them, they were about 30cm tall, I think. I hadn't seen them before, so one more in my bookmarks. Thanks again.
I wouldn't relay on the feather pattern since it changes with the age, season e.t.c. For these two species the size of the bird, the length of the bill, the coloration of the bill are the most important. There is one more feature that should separate them in the field/photos: in the Lesser the small feathers around the base of the bill are reaching to the nostril. In the Greater they are separated from the nostril. In my photos of the Lesser I found this hard to see (on some photos it is "check" in others no: the angle of the view and how dirty/wet these feathers (and the base of the bill) are, makes it not very reliable in the field or from photos (at least my photos - I did'n have an optimal light).
 
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Nice series, ISv.
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Billybob

800mm f/11 because a cellphone isn't long enough!
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I took the 100-500L out for a spin, and I was thoroughly impressed. The f/7.1 max aperture at 500mm was not an issue at all. It was great and amazing having this much flexibility in such a small package.


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Still working on my BIF technique. These will look better with practice.
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I was amazed to see sandhill crane here in Florida in the summer. I thought that they all migrated north. Regardless, I was extremely happy to see a couple hanging out in the Florida heat.
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A bit of a cheat. It's easier catching egrets in flight soon after they take off.
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And the Great Egret is simply a beautiful bird.
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Is this really a birds-only forum? Here's a bonus, a Gulf Fritillary, which is a gorgeous butterfly from the underside.
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AlanF

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I took the 100-500L out for a spin, and I was thoroughly impressed. The f/7.1 max aperture at 500mm was not an issue at all. It was great and amazing having this much flexibility in such a small package.

Is this really a birds-only forum? Here's a bonus, a Gulf Fritillary, which is a gorgeous butterfly from the underside.

We are a broad-minded bunch here. There is a specialist thread if you are interested for butterflies https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/threads/butterflies-moths-and-assorted-insects.31073/
How did you focus on the butterfly? I am intrigued whether the eyeAF works on insects as I photo dragonflies and butterflies when birds aren't around.
 
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Billybob

800mm f/11 because a cellphone isn't long enough!
May 22, 2016
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We are a broad-minded bunch here. There is a specialist thread if you are interested for butterflies https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/threads/butterflies-moths-and-assorted-insects.31073/
How did you focus on the butterfly? I am intrigued whether the eyeAF works on insects as I photo dragonflies and butterflies when birds aren't around.

Thanks for the link! Is there one for wildlife in general? No need to respond, I found the "Reptiles and Amphibians" thread. I had a nice shot of a young gator, but I didn't want to push the envelop by including it.

The eye-focus didn't work on the butterfly--I think the eyes are either too small or too alien. Instead, the camera picked out the image in the center of the frame and put a box around it. That worked fine when the the butterfly was stationary but was not very effective when the butterfly was in flight. I only got one semi-decent shot of the butterfly in flight (this image is a little soft).Sweetwater-9439.jpg
 
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AlanF

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Thanks for the link! Is there one for wildlife in general? No need to respond, I found the "Reptiles and Amphibians" thread. I had a nice shot of a young gator, but I didn't want to push the envelop by including it.

The eye-focus didn't work on the butterfly--I think the eyes are either too small or too alien. Instead, the camera picked out the image in the center of the frame and put a box around it. That worked fine when the the butterfly was stationary but was not very effective when the butterfly was in flight. I only got one semi-decent shot of the butterfly in flight (this image is a little soft).
Butterflies in flight are very, very difficult to photo - congratulations. Did the camera just pick it up as it was flying? When you can’t use AF can you simply focus a small spot on the head, which is what I do on the DSLR?
 
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Billybob

800mm f/11 because a cellphone isn't long enough!
May 22, 2016
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Butterflies in flight are very, very difficult to photo - congratulations. Did the camera just pick it up as it was flying? When you can’t use AF can you simply focus a small spot on the head, which is what I do on the DSLR?
I generally rely on having a lot of megapixels, shooting from a distance, then cropping as much as needed. I try to focus on the body--the head is too small-- when it is at rest on the plant and then anticipate its movement when it leaves. I was better at it with the DSLR. I'd appreciate any tips you have, but perhaps it's time to move to the butterfly thread.
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
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I generally rely on having a lot of megapixels, shooting from a distance, then cropping as much as needed. I try to focus on the body--the head is too small-- when it is at rest on the plant and then anticipate its movement when it leaves. I was better at it with the DSLR. I'd appreciate any tips you have, but perhaps it's time to move to the butterfly thread.
I usually shoot from 3m with 400/560mm on a 5DSR or equivalent and focus on the head. If I remember, I throttle back to f/11.
 
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