Tag: Heron

A Trip to the Gulf – Part 4

by MHamptonPhoto

Picking up where we left of, we had just left the drive around Shoveler Pond and were beginning our trek deeper into Anahuac to see what else was there. In short order we left pavement and entered a dirt/gravel road. There were ditches on both sides of the road and every so often we could catch the sight of more gators. They seem to be everywhere in this place.

We also spotted this along the road, perched upon a fence post–a Common Nighthawk.

Photo by Michael Hampton

We drove all the way to the end of the road and saw a lot of people and families fishing in the various ditches and eventually the bay area at the south end of the reserve.

Along the way we spotted this Willet standing guard on a post. It was still there on our way back so I stopped and made a photo.

Photo by Michael Hampton

On our way back we stopped at a board walk where we saw some cows and this White Ibis taking off.

Photo by Michael Hampton

A little further down the road and we notice another guy pulled to the side of the road and getting low to the ground with a camera. Of course we had to stop and check it out.

I got out of the car with the 600mm and got down low to see what he was watching…

Photo by Karen Hampton

Hand-holding this thing is certainly not for extended periods of time, but I was able to manage it long enough to get this fairly close shot of this guy…

Photo by Michael Hampton

This was probably the closest that I got to one of these gators. He seemed content to stay in his little pool and showed no interest in coming after me. Good thing, because being on the ground with the 600mm lens, it might have taken me longer to get up and run that it would take him to close the distance between us. And in the short sprint, these guys are pretty quick. This is one of those instances where Karen had order to “get the shot” if it did come after me. LOL

In all actuality though, from what I’ve read, in the past 100+ years there has only been one fatal alligator attack recorded in Texas and that was due to a drunken “hey watch this” moment so I felt pretty safe.

The day was starting to wear on so we decided to take a few last circles around the pond area before heading back to the hotel and packing up.

This time around we spotted a White-faced Ibis foraging for food and showing off its wings.

Photo by Michael Hampton
Photo by Michael Hampton

I caught the Black-necked Stilt in flight…

Photo by Michael Hampton

And a Boat-tailed Grackle belting out the song of its people.

Photo by Michael Hampton

Now, everyone knows that Killdeer like to play wounded in order to draw threats away from its young, but I noticed this one just sitting right next the the road. I slowed to a stop as I approached because I didn’t want it to dart out in front of me. But when I stopped and looked out the window I saw this…

Photo by Michael Hampton

This crazy bird had built its nest about a foot from the side of the road. If you look close you will see at least 3 eggs under it. I moved away slowly as to not disturb the nesting nut.

A little further down the road we came across this Green Heron, hunting for food.

Photo by Karen Hampton

And I was able to catch this Glossy Ibis in flight against a cloud which I was pretty happy about.

Photo by Michael Hampton

A Red-winged Blackbird doing gymnastics…

Photo by Michael Hampton

And the immature Blue Heron with dinner.

Photo by Michael Hampton

As we were about to complete our final trip around the pond, we noticed a much smaller gator who had climbed up on the bank to enjoy the sun. This one was so cute I just wanted to go pet it… but I didn’t (duh!). But I did get out of the car to be a low and better angle for the shot.

Photo by Michael Hampton

All in all it was a fun two day get-away for us. We “social-distanced” with the best of them. We spent most of the time in the vehicle, shooting out the windows, and saw a lot of wildlife. I didn’t realize it until I started going through the photos, but there is a pretty wide variety of different birds here. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the gators and forget that fact.

We are really looking forward to this current societal crisis to be done and get back to normal so we can continue living our lives.

Until next time, enjoy life!

Michael & Karen

All words and photos copyright 2020 MHampton Photography 
Equipment used: Assorted Canon bodies and lenses

The Mississippi Gulf Coast

by Michael

On the few days before the Memorial Day Weekend 2012, Karen and I traveled to the gulf coast of Mississippi to visit some friends.  Of course, I took along my camera to capture whatever images I could.  However, challenging myself, I opted to only take my 24-105mm lens and not the 600mm “beast” as my friend JohnT likes to call it.  That made capturing some of the shore birds a little more of a feat.

For instance, this heron was perched on the pier. I slowly walked toward it, taking a shot, taking a couple of steps, taking a shot, repeat, until I was probably within 20 feet before it decided to fly off!

Mississippi 2012

Another heron, was perched on top of on of the pier roofs and sat there while I walked right up to it.  Of course, it was still out or reach, but close enough for a pretty detailed shot.  It remained there until some kids started throwing shrimp at it.  <kids!>

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There were also gulls, of course.  They were a little harder to catch as they flew past at breakneck speeds, but I did manage to capture a couple of them.

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And of course, there is the sun, as it begins to set over the bay.  Still a little high in the sky here, but you can already begin to see the colors as the sun approaches the clouds.

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All in all, it was a great trip.  Spent some quality time with our friends, was able to challenge myself in my photographic techniques.

Next post: Gators!

All photographs created with the Canon 5d mark II and Canon 24-105mmL zoom lens.

A Trip to Mississippi

by Mike

Finally, after a long time of saying we were going to do it, we finally make a trip to Gautier, MS to visit our friends William and Claudette Owens.  We were so glad that we went.  They not only showed us a great time while we were there, but they also showed us a few new things.

For instance, they took us to the Gulf Coast Gator Ranch in Moss Point MS, where we not only got to see gators up close and personal in their facility, we also took an airboat ride and were able to see them in the wild as well.

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

Of course, its little mouth was banded to keep from customers losing any fingers, but something tells me that the little guy wouldn’t have hurt a flea.  Just rub its neck and it just purred.   Smile

Yes, they have bigger gators there, but you wouldn’t want to pet them!

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

After looking around there, William thought it would be a great idea to take the airboat ride through the local swamp. 

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

I guess William forgot that he has a tendency to get a little motion sick, or perhaps he had never seen the videos that show just how much of a “ride” an airboat can be! But he was a trooper and stayed strong for the entire ride. No extra “feed” for the gators this trip!

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

Yes, there were gators out in the wild as well as the ones at the “farm”.  This is just one reason why they said to “keep your hands and arms inside the boat at all times during the ride!”

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

The swamp was very cool with all the overhanging trees.  Other than the gators we saw, I didn’t see any snakes, so I was good with that!  For an example of just how “wild” the ride was, here is just a three minute clip of the ride!  Check out the 360 towards the end!

After the gator ranch, we had lunch and then headed for the beach in Ocean Springs, MS.  Karen wanted to at least stick her feet in the water while we were here, and I just wanted to see what I could take pictures of.

Mississippi 2012

And no, I didn’t wade in the water.  Not really sure why, just didn’t.  But here are Karen, Claudette, and William while I shoot from the dry sand.

Mississippi 2012

If course there were birds…

Mississippi 2012

I was almost able to walk all the way up to this Heron that was perched on the pier.  Good thing too since all I had with me was my 24-105mm lens!

Mississippi 2012

And shells, with someone at home…

Mississippi 2012

And the requisite couples shots on the pier…

Mississippi 2012

Mississippi 2012

But Karen caught the best sunset picture when we drove over to Gulfport for dinner to the Back Bay Seafood Restaurant.  The food was as good as the sunset!

Mississippi 2012

It was a great trip and one I’m glad we made.  Thanks again to our friends William and Claudette for making it an enjoyable trip that we will remember for a long time to come!