Thank you Lorell,, Rich, Grant, and Natalie. As I've said before, I believe that 90% of getting good photos is being at the right place at the right time, with your camera ready.
Natalie, I had a similar experience as yours but with a brown pelican. I spent about 20 minutes taking photos of him at the wetlands, wandered off to another part of the preserve, and returned maybe 45 minutes later to see him in the same place. So I took a lot more photos. Eventually I got quite close to him - again, about 6 feet away.
I'm reminded of my maternal grandfather. He had incredible patience - I remember him sitting absolutely still in an Adirondack chair in his back yard, with a shelled peanut between his lips. Eventually (seemed like for an hour or more) a squirrel would hesitantly come over, climb up the chair and onto Grandpa's shoulder, grab the peanut and scamper away with the nut. Thanks for triggering that memory.
Natalie, I had a similar experience as yours but with a brown pelican. I spent about 20 minutes taking photos of him at the wetlands, wandered off to another part of the preserve, and returned maybe 45 minutes later to see him in the same place. So I took a lot more photos. Eventually I got quite close to him - again, about 6 feet away.
I'm reminded of my maternal grandfather. He had incredible patience - I remember him sitting absolutely still in an Adirondack chair in his back yard, with a shelled peanut between his lips. Eventually (seemed like for an hour or more) a squirrel would hesitantly come over, climb up the chair and onto Grandpa's shoulder, grab the peanut and scamper away with the nut. Thanks for triggering that memory.
Don't blame me - I didn't vote for him!
Nikon D7500 with Nikkor 18-300 mm; PSE2021, PSCS5
Ny Flickr Albums