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We were running just a bit late Saturday when we arrived at Riverlands. The swans that had roosted on the east pond at Two Pecan Trail had just lifted off when we pulled up. Based on a report from George G, we directly headed to the Heron Pond and set up.

Molly was using the 500, her ‘new’ lens, on her 40D. She also was making the transition to using a tripod/gimbal rig versus handholding .Considering that the 500 is a “horse” ( her term), the use of a tripod/gimbal is necessary until she gets used to its weight.

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Heron Pond had tons of ducks and geese…….and SWANS!!!!!!!! From sunrise until we left around 10 am, there were ducks,geese and swans coming and going with regularity. The easterly breeze gave us a fighting chance for decently lit subjects– even if it was as much side lighting as anything.

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Since all the area is restricted, you have to shoot from the road. Lens 400mm and up are recommended and crop sensor cameras are an ‘advantage’.

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I’m sneaking in an image I took Sunday morning with the 600 with 1.4 extender. Dense fog greeted me when I got to Riverlands. The slight breeze would move the fog through the ponds and the surrounding grass lands. When I was looking at the morning’s take, I liked this image. It may not be the best of the session but it gave me an old timey feel with the side/backlit birds and fog and the observation blind. Call it an old duck hunter’s memory shot.

Hope you got out and made a few memories of your own  this weekend.