Leigh-Ann Haughn's Page

Hi Leigh

I am wondering what kind of camera you use.

I thing so far your pictures are good don't be so hard on youself

:)

Great Osprey Foto, Leigh-Ann !!   We have three regular visiting Ospreys; they are really neat fish eaters !!  They have beatiful color and pattern !!  The closest I have gotten was my last group photos of the youngest (teen) one !!

Cheers John L (Bearheart)

I use a Nikon D300s and a Tamron 200-500 lens for most.

Hi Leigh-Ann,  BGG is right across the road from HBSP, see the attached maps.  BGG is huge, 5000 acres, so walking from HBSP to BGG is doable, but remeber it will be hot.  It is about 1/2 mile just to get to the gate from Rte 17 and then another 1/2 mile to the aviary at the zoo.  Butterfly exhibit is same place as zoo.  Can't miss the entrance to BGG thre is a huge staue of two kids on horses at the entrance.  As you go south on Rte 17 HBSP entrance is first on the left and then BGG on your right.  BGG is probably around $10 to get in and $3 for 30 minutes with the Butterflies.  $5 for HBSP.  Hope you can see the attachments, let me know if you can't .Overview.JPGHBSP%20Viewing%20area.JPGEducation%20Center.JPG

Thank you for the kind words. I use a Nikon D300s and often a Tamron 200-500 lens. I have a Cabela's hunting blind that I set up near our feeders. The water birds are mostly taken in Florida at Ding Darling Refuge or the beaches in Florida.

Make sure you go to the Education Center.  After crossing the causeway make your first left.  It is just down the road a short way.  Go up on the deck by the entrance (on stilts).  In the yard you will see a couple of feeders.  That's where I shot the painted buntings.  If you wre lucky they will still be there.  Just be patient they come back every 10 minutes or so.  There is a second lake behind the one on your right as you enter.  There is a trail that starts right befoe the observation deck on the left.  It will take you to a narrow road that runs from Atalaya to the main road (Rte 17, Ocean Parkway).  The other lake is on the left.  There are places along there where the alligators cross back and forth between the lakes and there can be snakes there so keep your eyes open toward the ground.  The lake on the left has tall bushes that are usefull cover when shooting the ducks and green herons sitting on the other side of the bushes.  The moorhens like that area and maybe there will be hooded mergansers.  There have been a few roseate spoonbills there also.  Happy birding!!

Let me know if you didn't get my long comment as I don't see it here yet.  Or just email me at steffensr3@gmail.com.

http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1020.aspx

http://www.brookgreen.org/

Hi Leigh-Ann,  The park is always worth the trip.  It costs $5 per person to get in (We have a yearly pass $50).  Low tide is the best time for the tidal area.  Make sure you go to the trail behind the store.  It leads to a quiet observation deck.  If there is no one there ahead of you, go very slow with camera ready.  There is often a kingfisher there who is very timid.  If there isn't any birds close just sit and wait for a while, they will show up.  Along the causeway as you come in there are usually birds on the lake side (right).  Walk slow along the shore there are usually birds and alligators there.  Don't worry about the alligators 100 people a day walk by and take their pictures. ;o) After a while you will think they are statues.  There are usually pelicans flying up and down the beach, sometimes as many as 8 in a group.  You will see small shore birds on the beach also.  By the way the beach is worth the admission, it is very pretty with dunes.  Accross the road from HBSP is Brookgreen Gardens also worth the time.  It is a 5000 acre sculpture garden with it's own aviary and butterfly exhibit.  Let me know when you are going and I'll elaborate more.  HBSP is my second home!

Leigh-Ann-I may be wrong but, I think the longer the distance, you try to zoom in on a subject, the more the picturals come into play,they stretch out,the more compact the picturals the better the photo,Ask Vernon, Victor, or Dwayne, I'm sure they'll help,good luck,I love my SX30=(stay in the 35 X range,maybe 40 Xeven