CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The piping plover is a small shorebird, reaching approximately seven inches in length. The piping plover is listed as endangered in some interior areas of Canada and United States and threatened along the East Coast of both countries. The birds' habit of nesting on the open beach leaves their eggs vulnerable to construction and human activity.

Piping Plover by Paul Sager, on Flickr


The images shared in this post come from the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois in April 2019. The Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM was extended by the Canon Extender 2x III creating a 600mm, IS-enabled, f/5.6 configuration. All images were captured in RAW using a Canon EOS 5DIII mounted to a tripod. The image files were processed using Adobe Lightroom and Topaz DeNoise v6.

The Inca tern has a dark gray body and a red beak and legs. Moustache-like tufts of white feathers on each side of the beak signal maturity in males and females.

Inca Tern


The Canon Extender 2x III is a high performance teleconverter for use with Canon EF telephoto lenses. The 2x Extender multiplies the focal length by 2x and closes the effective aperture by two stops. Canon calls the equipment "extenders" where the same tools are called "teleconverters" by Nikon and other manufacturers.

The Bactrian camel has a thick brown coat that changes with the seasons. During winter, the coat thickens to provide added insulation against the cold. As tempertures increase in spring, large chunks of fur are shed to keep the animal cool. Both male and female Bactrian camels have two large humps on their backs.

Bactrian camel


The jambu fruit dove has green markings on the back, wings and tail, with a bright orange beak. The species is sexually dimorphic (males and females differ in appearance). Males have a crimson face and white chest displaying a pink patch near the throat while females possess a light purple face and green chest.

Jambu Fruit Dove


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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Thank you for sharing

These are excellent.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Superb set Paul!

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Beautiful work as always, Paul. You have me contemplating the sale of my Canon 500 f4 and 1.4x extender and picking up that 300 with the 2x.

CanonTom Loc: Birmingham

Thank you Paul. Wonderful images as always. We never tire of viewing your work!

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Very fine indeed!

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

Sooo very good!

Terrymac Loc: LONDON U.K.

Lovely shots. Thanks.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Great close-ups--sharp!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank you Mr B! You may see the periodic discussions of extenders here on UHH. I've shot the 500 f/4, alone and with both extenders, in many of the same locations / situation as these images. The difference in sharpness with the 2x on the 300 is real, something I've never tried to dismiss. What I have tried to dismiss: is the difference relevant? The 300L is by far my preferred lens, so much so, the 100-400L II has been mentally up for sale. The 300 is "big" because of the huge hood, but otherwise the 100-400 and the 300 are roughly the same size and weight. If your 500 is not an "everyday" type lens because of the size / weight, you might consider whether the 300 would change that.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Thank yo Architect1776, nimbushopper , Canontom, Karin, Don, Terrymac, John! The Lincoln Park Zoo is a short 15-minute bus ride on the CTA from my home here in Chicago. I visited on back to back days a few weekends ago to test different lens and camera configurations. This is the first of a few posts of some of the results. Glad you enjoyed.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Paul, that's exactly what I was thinking!!

al13

As always, great pictures.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Wow all the way!!!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent as usual, Paul.