Your images are very nice. In my personal opinion, it's all subjective. I prefer images of white birds with more feather definition, and less post processing.

Taken with my Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens

Not my best, but all I can access until later today.. Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens is phenomenal and my favorite lens ever. Handheld for this image.

Love these artistic images!

When traveling by car, someone is always with me. The camera gear is never left alone, particularly at rest areas, gas stations, visitor centers, etc. One person at a time goes inside the building; the vehicle is never left unattended for any reason. We may both exit the vehicle, but at least one of us is nearby within reach if there is an issue.

Thank you for sharing your images. These are really, really nice!

Ed Chu, I am looking forward to trying out my Sigma 150-600mm at Gatorland very soon!

The boardwalk at this rookery is very crowded! It is small, as rookeries go. Some of the trees and birds are fairly close to the boardwalk. I have heard there was some storm damage to some of the trees this past summer, but have seen some very nice photos recently. There are some trees and nests where you could use your 600 mm lens on a portion of the boardwalk; the other end of the boardwalk consists of nests very close to the railing and you will not be able to easily use your 600mm in that area. I would consider taking both lenses.

Absolutely love my Sigma 180!

It is absolutely imperative that if you are visiting Merritt Island NWR that you go EARLY IN THE MORNING !! It is a 1 1/2 hour drive for me, and I try to get there by 7:00 am. By noon, there is considerably less activity until 3:00 pm or later.

This is dependent on a variety of things. Water levels are probably the number one criteria; if the water levels are too high, the wading birds cannot forage for food. Food supply may be less abundant, or not accessible except for the waterfowl. Some of the roads have been closed due to storm damage - i.e., Gator Creek and Peacock Pocket. Pumphouse Road is open at the entrance point for a very short distance. This year the waders are congregating near the south section of BioLab Road, which is a two-way drive, but ends not far into it. The main entrance to BioLab Road is by the north boat ramp area. It is one-way. Yes, the numbers are lower this year, but just two weeks ago, I felt I had a successful trip there with enough to photograph to make it worth the trip for me. I photographed waders feeding in a frenzy (including spoonbills) at BioLab Road, a pair of turkey cultures mating (also on BioLab), the great-horned owl nest, scrub jays, snowy egret, little blue heron, and tri-colored herons on Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, red-winged blackbirds everywhere, kingfishers, terns and even a skimmer. I drove Blackpoint first, then went to BioLab Road, then the visitor center, and back to Blackpoint. This was followed by a stopover at Viera Wetlands to check out the great blue heron hatchlings. There is one nest there with triplets. My idea of a successful day of photography. Imagemeister, are you game? I'm ready to go there again!

Merritt Island's BioLab Road has been busy with wading birds this season, including roseate spoonbills. There is now a day fee of $10 for this area. There is a great horned owl nest along the main road, and the scrub jays are active beside the ranger station in the early morning. Blackpoint Wildlife Drive is usually a good place to see reddish egrets feeding, but lately I've only seen one. BlackPoint Wildlife Drive is quieter than usual, but still productive from a photography standpoint. Most of the waterfowl are already gone except for the coots. The visitor center puts out feeders that attract painted buntings when the red-winged blackbirds are not there. Gatorland in Kissimmee should be good right now with courting, nesting of waders, storks, herons, cattle egrets, and ibis. Spoonbills visit and roost, but so far do not nest there. It's early in the nesting season for Gatorland but it will still be quite good. Turtles, gators, resident ducks, emus, and the leucistic alligators. There is a resident area for flamingoes as well. If you can do a day at Merritt Island, AND another day at Gatorland, it will be well worth it! If you have more time, consider traveling to Viera Wetlands (Viera), or Boynton Beach to Wakodahatchee Wetlands and/or Green Cay Wetlands. All are very active right now, and at Wako the nests are close to the boardwalk. There you may also see storks, glossy ibis, swamphen, gallinules, warblers, osprey, and more.

Kathy - A good way to practice this is to photograph black birds (vultures, crows, ravens, blackbirds) and white birds (seagulls, egrets, ibises). Check your settings after each shot, and adjust by adding or subtracting light. This is how I taught myself to transition quickly between black and white subjects. Birds are easy to find; they are everywhere! The seashore is a particularly good place because you may have gulls (light) and pelicans (dark) side by side. I walked to the riverfront every day at lunch time, and there were many subjects to choose from. Dogs would be another good practice subject.

DPSTCH strap is pricey, but a really good strap and sturdy enough for 500mm lens. Plus, I can carry it at my side.

Thank you! Can't wait to try this!