Under the photo there is a link "view map" and it will show you exactly where I was standing.
OK, thanks. Looks like I was right next to that spot, but didn't walk down that trail. The aerial photo is rather out of date, they've built a new dike much closer to the twin barns and phased out the older dike. We walked down the new dike as far as you could go, then headed back to the trailhead. Had we turned left and just walked a short distance it would have lead to the spot you were at.
I've only been there 3 times, and each time my 100-400 canon was easily the largest lens I saw. I find it sort of humorous that standing all around me were people with little P&S cameras, clicking away at what will likely look like specks in the sky. And then there I am wishing for a larger and faster lens, so I could get a really great shot.
Guess it depends on when you show up. We were there on a Saturday morning, and there were lots of 400 lenses on display, as well as a lot of smaller stuff too. It's really family friendly, so there were plenty of kids and people with point and shoots as well. But there were also some
serious birders in evidence too, with at least one 400 mm 2.8 lens, wrapped in camo and mounted on a gymbal mount for easy shooting.
The beauty of the place is that you don't have to have long lenses and fast glass. You do for some stuff of course, the bald eagles won't let you get overly close, but other things like geese and herons are so used to people you can get right up to them.
As an example, these guys were taking a break on the path. You literally had to walk around therm. You'll notice they're quite relaxed. Yes, he's got his eye open and is watching me, but still, the head under your wing position indicates they're not worried. They stayed there enjoying the sun as whole groups walked right past them.
This shot is only slightly cropped, shot at 200 mm from maybe 20 feet away.
View attachment 2267
We also got quite close to several herons, including one who patiently waited as a whole group of Paparrazi took her photo, and it took a little girl in a flourescent pink coat getting within about 5 feet of her to inspire the heron to slowly walk further away from the path.
Obviously, bald eagles are harder to find that geese or herons, and you won't get as close to them. But if you're patient and not overly picky on what species you photograph, just about anyone can have some fun photographing birds here, no matter what lens you have.
