Image of the Month
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
This month's image of a Double-crested Cormorant was taken
at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. I spent a wonderful week in
Florida this past February with Moose Peterson refining my birding photography. Having
little experience in area of bird photography, I was overwhelmed by the variety of
bird species found here all assimilated in one location. All this in the dead of winter, a
time of year that those of us in the mid-west have less than perfect weather to be out
gathering images for our files.
If you have an interest in bird photography, Ding Darling is
a must. Located on Sanibel Island just over the causeway from Fort Meyer, Ding Darling is
a birder's paradise. You'll find an abundance of White Ibis, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets,
Tri-colored Heron, Roseate Spoonbills, Yellow-Night Herons, Little blue Herons and even a
few alligators.
The refuge is accessible through only one entrance that will
lead you on to a one-way, 5-mile dirt road. This dirt road meanders through a series
of ponds allowing you the opportunity to get physically close to the birds. I
find this very important, especially in bird photography, because of their small
size. Since the birds are in a protected environment, they are very acclimated to the
presence of humans making the photography opportunities limitless. You can photograph the
birds singularly, in-groups, mixed groups, feeding, sleeping, preening and flying!
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a great place for
nature photographer's to do what they do best - shoot away, seize the moment
and enjoy the surroundings.
Good Shooting!
Nikon F5, Nikon 600f4.0 Lens, Gitzo G1348
tripod w/ Arca Swiss B-1, Agfa RSX100 film.
