Enjoyed the latest lesson so headed out early this morning to a local bayou.  Confess to not sitting for 30 minutes in one spot but have found a couple of spots to try again tomorrow for a longer period of time.  Here’s a few shots 

Ever since I read Melissa’s 2016 article in Outdoor Photographer about having a Sit Spot, I have been able to describe to others why I will often stay in one place for quite a while.  The images below were taken at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, 25-miles south of Tallahassee on June 19, 2020 during my Sit Spot time of 11:00 AM to Noon.  I chose that place in particular because I knew that Clapper Rails and chicks had recently been seen.  I could hear them but couldn’t see them as they were back in the marsh.  Then, much to my delight, an adult and chick appeared.  During that hour, I photographed an immature male Boat-tailed Grackle, a small flock of immature White Ibises, and an adult female Boat-tailed Grackle in addition to the Clapper Rail and chick.

This morning I went to my favorite regional park, in North California, it has lots of little lakes, ponds and arroyos connecting them. It is the perfect habitat to give shelter to a lot of bird species. I found a green heron on a branch sticking out of the water, turning its back to me. I tried to practice a careful, silent approach as Melissa explained, getting closer each time his attention was distracted (by a plane passing or a dog barking). When I was close enough to have a decent shot with my 400 lens, I decided to crouch down and wait. I expected to stay here quite a long time (green herons can keep very still for ages but when they but strike all of a sudden, they can be very fast). My camera settings were ready. I will share below some photos of what I saw. The first is when I arrived. In the second, he noticed something in the water and elongated its neck slowly (it always surprise me how long it can get). After coming back to his waiting position for a while he suddenly jumped in the water to fish, turned around as fast as he had jumped and landed back on the log. I press the shutter trying to keep my focus and got some very interesting shots. I am glad I stopped and spent time with this amazing bird.

I often walk to a local park which has a lake and other bird friendly habitat.  Even though it is close to a busy street/highway, birds do not seem to be disturbed by the traffic.  I go there and find a place to just sit and look over the lake and the edge of the lake.  One day I was sitting there and watching a Great Egret feeding on the far side of the lake.  I patiently sat and watched as the Egret made its way closer and closer to where I was.  I was able to get this shot and found it quite rewarding to see it feeding and to capture that activity in my photo.  The lighting was such that I was also able to get the reflection.  I was also able to get a photo of a Great Blue Heron along the lake's edge.

I saw there was a sparrow visiting a feeder, so I sat in a chair about 30 feet away, with the sun at my back. I took various shots of the feeder, trying different modes (manual, shutter priority, etc.) and ISO levels to optimize the light. I waited about 30 minutes but the bird didn't return. I was too close and too obvious. Although I moved some, I didn't make any sudden movements. It gave me a sense that I need to work harder to get well positioned.

Near my backyard feeder, there is a fence, a brush pile, two potted plants, and an evergreen bush. Birds will often perch on these, or in a nearby maple tree, while awaiting a turn at the feeder or to retreat to with their meal.

What lens support does Melissa use when shooting from a low position on the beach?  It appears to be saucer shaped.