This is a great state park in Texas just about 30 minutes south of Houston. It features alligators and a nice variety of bird life.

Camera was a Nikon D7100 and the lens a Sigma 150- 600, effectively with the crop a 225 – 900. It is a large lens, of course, and it is even suggested that a monopod is the minimum support requirement. However, use a high enough ISO and shutter speed and that impediment to quick response to wildlife subjects (the monopod) can be fairly well avoided.

The shallow depth of field of a super telephoto allowed me to give sharp focus to the end of the snout and its reflection while making a pleasant blur in the other areas.

While the alligator looks sluggish, it’s said that they can dart out of the water fairly quickly to seize its victim (or camera-wielding tormentor). I wouldn’t have done this with a 50mm lens! He or she seems somewhat perturbed.

Now on the nicer side, a gallinule calmly graces the ripples with its vibrant beak looking like a corn candy.

Here is a group of gallinules in the fen.

The American bittern stalks its unwary fare.

Maw and Paw blue-winged teal rest on the lounge log.

I did shoot some black and white with a Fuji GA something or other 6 x 4.5 film camera, but here is a quickie digital rendition.

The ibis prepares to pounce.

The lazy gator a log mounts.

Gallinule walks the branch.

Double crested cormorant.

Gallinule and cormorant.

Great blue heron surveys his or her domain.

Ibis shows off for the gallinules. They are common, after all.

A herd of ibis feeds.

Ibis herd, another view.

Three ibises.

Common grebe.

More gallinule action.

Common egret I.

Common egret II.

Common egret three, frazzled.

The Sigma 150-600 is a reasonable solution to the common wildlife photographer who’d like to “get out there” a little further!