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Description
Great White Egret (Egretta alba) in St Lucia Wetlands.

Fancy Feathers - Part 1Bird photography is just about the most frustrating of all photographic activities. Despite good equipment, a well thought out exposure plan, and oodles of opportunity, most of my birdie shots from the recent South African trip were poor, either in focus, exposure, or hopelessly too small. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in my frustrations, but I did identify one factor, long suspected, that contributes mightily to good bird photography - being alone. As soon as other people are near, camera or no, you cannot concentrate, and the birds become more than usually nervous and difficult.
Nevertheless, here is a selection of shots mainly from the Makakatana Bay Lodge area near St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site, the heart of Africa’s largest natural estuary. http://makakatana.co.za/ I have made identifications, some tentative, and added a few notes to each shot. Any additional information or corrections are most welcome, and I shall update if app

Description
Great White Egret (Egretta alba) in St Lucia Wetlands.

Fancy Feathers - Part 1Bird photography is just about the most frustrating of all photographic activities. Despite good equipment, a well thought out exposure plan, and oodles of opportunity, most of my birdie shots from the recent South African trip were poor, either in focus, exposure, or hopelessly too small. I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in my frustrations, but I did identify one factor, long suspected, that contributes mightily to good bird photography - being alone. As soon as other people are near, camera or no, you cannot concentrate, and the birds become more than usually nervous and difficult.
Nevertheless, here is a selection of shots mainly from the Makakatana Bay Lodge area near St Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site, the heart of Africa’s largest natural estuary. http://makakatana.co.za/ I have made identifications, some tentative, and added a few notes to each shot. Any additional information or corrections are most welcome, and I shall update if app