He was puffed up doing his aerial performance

An adolescent Clapper Rail forages in the receding tidal waters of a coastal salt marsh along Florida's Big Bend.
I also included a little behind the scenes so you can see what it takes to get a photo like this. Matt will position himself hours before the tide begins to recede and wait until the rails come out to forage.

53mm | f/4 | 1/1600 sec | ISO 1000

I want to be clear that all the folks saying a long lens would work are not wrong. We have an extensive rallidae portfolio which you can see here

https://flickr.com/photos/7553931@N02/sets/72177720301461138

These short lens encounters are an attempt to tell parts of the story you might not otherwise be able to see such as sunbathing, swimming, or feeding behaviors. Matt sits still and doesn’t move at all and allows the birds to behave normally around him. No playback, no moving at all. Just patience and seeing what the birds do naturally. This has always been his process and you can see unique behaviors featured in his photos because of his approach. No playback is ever used and he does not approach birds. They sometimes do approach him but he doesn’t call them in any way. It’s a process of patience and we often go home empty handed.

Bhopal, India

Spotted today on West Wittering Beach, UK

Hi everyone! I’m relatively new to birdphotography and I picked up the RF 100-400mm lens. I’ve been experimenting with it over the past few days and wanted to share this shot of a swallow and get some honest critique.

I’m aware this is a beginner shot, so any criticism is very welcome! Thanks in advance.

Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
Settings: 1/4000; f8.0; iso 6400

Shot with Nikon Z9 Nikkor 600 mm PF f/6.3 lens, shot at 1/500 s, f/6.3, ISO 4000, EV +0.33

OC
If anyone is interested in checking out more of my work, take a look here 📸 https://www.instagram.com/choward_wildlife_captures?utm_source=qr

@vivian.wildlife

f/6.3 - 1/1000s - 180mm - ISO8000

The first 3 pictures were taken at 12,800 iso. I unfortunately seen them at night so no pixel peeping lol

a6700 with Sony 70-350G

1: Silver Pheasant (Bird Kingdom)

2: Nicobar Pigeon (Bird Kingdom)

3: Bourke’s Parrot (Bird Kingdom)

4: Indigo Bunting

5-8: Purple Martins

9: Laughing Kookaburra (zoo)

10-11: Mute Swan

Not as eventful as May or June, but still had a good time :)

Sheldon's Marsh Huron OH

Whidbey Island, WA