photoartflightRoseate Spoonbills Splashing
I am still finding images to post from my backup files since we can not go out to even local parks here in NJ. These images are from a past trip years ago to J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. These were fairly far out in the water along the Wildlife Drive. I was using a Sigma 300 – 800mm f/5.6 zoom lens @ 800mm (The Sigmonster as it was called.) With Heavy Duty Gitzo tripod, Wimberly Gimbel Tripod head & Canon 1 Series Camera Body – total weight ~25 lbs. But once setup you could certainly work an area and get great images from subjects near & far.
photoartflight 
Excellent shots, Reed. But it must have been quite challenge to carry this load.
Thanks Greta! Yes it was a lot to carry, but once setup it was great to work an area. Getting older it was too much to deal with so I sold it. I use a Canon 400mm DO lens sometimes with teleconverters now or a Tamron 150-600mm. A lot easer to carry!! I was actually surprised how well the Tamron does, even with teleconverters. Plus I usually always shoot Raw files which helps bring out more detail. Thanks again!
Impressive array!
Thanks Eliza! It was a fun lens to use and provided Great Results!
At one point i considered that lens. But the weight seemed prohibitive as most of my shooting requires lengthy hikes. Those are some nice behavioral shots.
It was one of my favorite lenses! Once setup you could really work an area. Also for flying birds you could start at 300mm and lock focus and theN zoom into the bird at 800mm to get the shot. Starting at 800mm it was tough to find the bird in the sky! Thanks again!!
Wow, that certainly is a monster lens! These are beautiful shots – I love this fun splashing behavior.
Thanks! They are certainly fun to photograph! Never quite know what they will do!
Super action shot!
Love all the splashing pink!! Nice equipment, Reed, I wish I had 800 mm zoom!!
Thanks Donna! They were fun to photograph! I believe you have a Tamron 150-600mm lens. I also use that lens and found a few teleconverters that work quite well with that lens. The Sigma 2x teleconverter works great on my lens and the sharpness seems very good. But not sure if on a Nikon if you would still have autofocus. On my Canon R body autofocus works even if I stack teleconverters. With the 2x teleconverter, it would add 2 stops to your wide open f/stop on your lens. Even a 1.4x teleconverter might not work (Adds 1 stop to your lens), depends on your camera body.
I have a Nikon 70-200mm with a Nikon 1.7 teleconverter.
Sorry! Thought you had the 150-600mm!!😊
I wish! 😉 I have been eyeballing getting more length though….
It never hurts to get more focal length!
Except the wallet!👍
😉