I needed to improve my photos of birds in flight, so I headed to our local wetland to see if there were any photo opportunities. The answer is yes. I have been going back, almost daily, for a few hours each morning. I would like to share my photos with you. There are many, but this is a collection for reference. Some are terrible. Some I really like. If something catches your eye, by all means paint it. You have my permission.
It is very peaceful to be hunkered down in the cattails surrounded by the sights and sounds of the marsh. I strongly recommend you go wading.
Here is the link:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/albums/72157708452490725Some examples:
Eared grebe portrait. Very curious, they often swim just feet from the blind.

Drake blue-winged teal. Very fast, and very hard to get focused for the shot.

Drake redhead. When the water is like glass, the duck seems to float in a void.

Here is another example. A drake shoveler floats through the screen.

The Franklin's gulls often fly by to get a better look at me, giving me a better look at them.

I won't post anymore, so that this doesn't take forever to load. Thanks for looking.
Comments
Beautiful work. Long telephoto or zoom? Camera?
Denis
@Summer , you may be right. I'll let you all know.
Steve Biro has taken your advice about getting into the reeds.
'He was not very impressed': Bald eagle picture brings Insta 'love'
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-28/photographer-flattered-by-response-to-eagle-picture/11155270
Denis
The Queen
The King
White pelicans almost in my lap.
Wood Ducklings. Nothing cuter than these little fluff balls.
Yesterday morning, my plan was to get better pictures of a white-faced ibis. I had been seeing them feeding regularly along a particular stretch of shoreline, but they are very wary. I hunkered in some Russian olive with a woven palm frond mat in front of me. I didn't have to wait long.