How do I? In July, I am going to watch thousands of bats emerge from under a bridge. Does anyone have any tips on photographing such a sight. I have a Canon XTi, and the following...

jekbeck60

In July, I am going to watch thousands of bats emerge from under a bridge.
Does anyone have any tips on photographing such a sight.
I have a Canon XTi, and the following lenses :
50mm 1.8, 10-22mm 3.5-4.5, 24-105mmL 1:4 and
70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO.
Which lens(es) would be best, I can't take all of them, perhaps 2.
Thanks anyone

Gidgette Loc: Boerne,Texas

Must be Austin. Saw them fly out once, is awesome. Good luck.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

I'd take the 24-105L. It's got a nice reach and will work nicely with low light situations.

The 70-300 might be a little to slow.

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

Try the 24-105 and carry the 50mm just in case !

michelleGD

please post those ..... sounds amazing.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

jekbeck60 wrote:

In July, I am going to watch thousands of bats emerge from under a bridge.
Does anyone have any tips on photographing such a sight.
I have a Canon XTi, and the following lenses :
50mm 1.8, 10-22mm 3.5-4.5, 24-105mmL 1:4 and
70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO.
Which lens(es) would be best, I can't take all of them, perhaps 2.
Thanks anyone

24-105mm.....WEAR A HAT!

jekbeck60

Gidgettte - yes it's at Austin.
MWAC, Turbo,charlie, thanks for the suggestions (particularly the WEAR A HAT - I'd never have thought of that. Ha!
MichelleGD. I will definately post pics (providing I get any decent ones).
Thanks again y'all.

Curtis Thomson

You must be referring to the Capitol Street Bridge in Austin, Texas. I saw this many years ago, but alas, no camera. Please post. Would love to see your results.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jekbeck60 wrote:

In July, I am going to watch thousands of bats emerge from under a bridge.
Does anyone have any tips on photographing such a sight.
I have a Canon XTi, and the following lenses :
50mm 1.8, 10-22mm 3.5-4.5, 24-105mmL 1:4 and
70-300mm 4.5-5.6 DO.
Which lens(es) would be best, I can't take all of them, perhaps 2.
Thanks anyone

Wear a hat and glasses.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I tried that a few years ago. Which lens depends on whether you are standing on the bridge or on the river bank. In either case, it will be much too dark to photograph without a powerful flash.

If you can stand the strong bat urine smell, there are some interesting photos to be had by walking under the bridge. I cannot remember if the best access is from the north or south end of the bridge.

marvin Klein Loc: upstate NY

Question does this happen only in July or my thinking is that it happens every night?

bogeyeliot Loc: Signal Hill, CA

jekbeck60 wrote:

Gidgettte - yes it's at Austin.
MWAC, Turbo,charlie, thanks for the suggestions (particularly the WEAR A HAT - I'd never have thought of that. Ha!
MichelleGD. I will definately post pics (providing I get any decent ones).
Thanks again y'all.

jekbek beat me to it....I was GUANO tell you to wear a hat :P

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

If you look up, keep your mouth closed......

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Congress Street Bridge had millions of Mexican free tail bats. Threy come out in waves. My favorite spot was on the bridge facing east, wear a hat, do NOT look behind you as the bats emerge from both sides of the bridge, you may feel the bats wings actually touch your ears and head. use the 24-105, ISO 400 or so. ENJOY the show.

PS Mexican free tail bats eat bugs, harmless to humans

jekbeck60

marvin Klein wrote:

Question does this happen only in July or my thinking is that it happens every night?

Happens every night, but I am going to Austin in July for another reason so thought I'd take the time to see the bats.