Venice Rookery

Hi all,

I am planning a bird photography trip to Florida this winter, and would like the Venice Rookery to be one of my stops. But I'm concerned that my gear won't allow me to shoot nesting activity, etc. I have a Canon 7D, a 300 f/4 lens and a 1.4 extender. Will that be adequate? What about renting the 2X extender for the trip...will the resulting lack of AF be a huge disadvantage?

Thanks,
Wendy

Hello Wendy,
You will have many opportunities for great frame filled images with the 7D at 300 and 420 mm. You would not have autofocus with a 2x TC. I was just at the rookery a couple of weeks ago (have visited many times over the years). I figure the next time I go, I'll take my 300 f/2.8. There were many times I felt the 500mm on my 1.3x crop body, with no TCs was too much and those great blue herons when they spread their wings are quite large. You can check my web site, see Florida birds for example images. Morning is best. You will have some challenges, including in some directions, a distant trailer court is visible, and currently, the best and closest location has a dead bush with lots of sticks in the way. In the afternoon, the western bank is further from the island and images of birds on the island will be tough (they will be small) with only 420 mm. But there are often birds right on the shore, so then the 300 bare will probably work well.

Roger

Thanks, Roger. That is reassuring. The photos on your website are really impressive, so (assuming I can create images that approach the quality of yours...a big assumption!), it looks like it will be worth going to the rookery despite the challenges you mentioned.

Hi Wendy:

I agree with Roger that renting a 2x TC would not be advisable. You can get a # of photos with your current set up (which is the set up I used for 3 years myself.) Would you be happier with a longer lens, yes, but in Florida you will find many opportunities to photograph birds at 420mm. While at Venice Rookery, make sure that you walk around to the other side of the pond when you have time. Have fun.

Thanks, Marina. As I plan my trip during the next couple of weeks, I'll probably be posting more questions about current birding hotspots in Florida, so I appreciate your input.

I've been there a few times (I live about 2 miles away) and have often had to take the 1.4x off my 400/2.8 as it was too tight for some subjects. A 300/4 with or without a 1.4x should be fine for some subjects, and a bit short for others. It's a matter of choosing your subjects wisely.

Then again, let me know when you'll be there, and I'll see if I can coordinate.

John

Thanks, John. I have actually changed the dates of my trip: I have a conference in Orlando the week of April 21, so I'm planning to stay a few days after the conference (April 26-27) to hit some hotspots. Is that still a good time to visit the Venice rookery (as well as some of the other Florida hotspots) or will a lot of the activity be over by then?