We got up early to be at the Venice Rookery at dawn, and were amazed at this beautiful setting, and collection of birds, so near a fairly commercial area. We got there a few minutes after dawn, and there were already a half-dozen photographers set up and shooting. After spending a couple of hours here, we headed further north to Myakka River State Park. We took a trip on their Air Boat, and I was able to secure a "front seat" so I could set my tripod and camera up at the very front of the boat. It was difficult to shoot from a boat that was moving fairly swiftly much of the time, but there were many opportunities.

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Great Egret
    with Chicks 1

    
Image # 2524

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/2x

    
ISO 200, f/8, 1/1000 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Egret
    with Chicks 2

    
Image # 2525

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/2x

    
ISO 200, f/8, 1/1000 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Egret
    in Breeding Colors

    
Image # 2509

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1/.4x

    
ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/640 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Egret
    Displaying

    
Image # 2516

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/640 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Egret
    with 2 Juveniles

    
Image # 2505

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 100, f/8, 1/320 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
?Juvenile
    Great Blue Egret on Nest

    
Image # 2514

    
Venice Rookery

    
South Venice, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 100, f/6.3, 1/500 second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Blue
    Heron Fishing

    
Image # 2532

    
Myakka State Park

    
near Myakka City, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000
    second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Cormorant
    Chorus

    
Image # 2533

    
Myakka State Park

    
near Myakka City, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000
    second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

Something about this shot appeals to me, despite the out of focus cormorant at the right side of the frame, and the brushy surroundings.

     
 

    
Osprey
    Catching Fish

    
Image # 2531

    
Myakka State Park

    
near Myakka City, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000
    second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

This came very close to being a truly great shot, but alas the osprey had its head down; I still like the action captured here, but wish I had an image a split-second or two before or after.

     
 

    
Great Blue
    Heron in Flight

    
Image # 2534

    
Myakka State Park

    
near Myakka City, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000
    second

    
Manual Mode, Evaluative
    Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick
 

     
 

    
Great Blue
    Heron with Sunfish

    
Image # 2535

    
Myakka State Park

    
near Myakka City, FL
 

    
Canon 600L/1.4x

    
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1000
    second

    
Manual Mode, Partial Metering

    
Tripod/Wimberley Sidekick