Argentina’s Ibera Wetlands III: Birds

Southern Lapwing. Normally side-light is ineffective for bird photography, it causes too much contrast, but this is my favorite image I made of this species. The early morning sunlight was soft enough to permit the unconventional lighting. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC, 1/800th, f5.6, ISO 1600.

About 350 species of birds have been recorded in the Ibera Wetlands. While high by North American standards (downright outstanding if you happen to be from Alaska) it is mediocre when compared to other places in the Neotropics. The advantage, the extraordinary advantage in my opinion, is that unlike many birding hotspots, in the Ibera a great many species are readily seen. In two days of not particularly intensive birding, I managed to tick off 125 species.

From a photographic perspective, its even better. Large, photogenic birds are everywhere: Tiger-herons, Egrets, Cocoi Herons, Wood-rails, Storks, shorebirds, waterfowl, Southern Screamers. These images are just a sampling of the potential. With luck, I’ll return to explore the place further.

Incidentally, I LOVE the Canon 5d III. The high ISO performance is amazing, allowing me to shoot in the early morning hours, long before I could have with my previous equipment.

Rufous-collared Sparrow. This is one of the most common bird species across South America. I love them, they are closely related to White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows of North America. This was a pre-dawn shot, handheld, and is a perfect example of how awesome the 5D III is. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC, 1/40th, f5.6, ISO 1600.

Rufous-bellied Thrush. This is another common species in much of Argentina and shares a genus with the familiar American Robin. The first of the sun was tapping this guy making for some interesting light. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC. 1/40th, f5.6, ISO1600.

Giant Wood-rail. I photographed this guy just feet from the door of our room at the Ecoposada del Estero. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC, 1/3200th, f5.6, ISO 1600.

Juvenile Rufescent Tiger-heron. Another regular in the yard at the Ecoposada. This youngster was there every morning, foraging, or perched nearly still in a low branch of a tree. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC, 1/250th, f5.6 ISO 3200.

Great Egret. Somehow, despite spending a lot of time in this species range, I’d never before photographed a Great Egret. It was worth the wait. This bird foraged closer and closer to where I was sitting just as the first of the morning sun crested the horizon. My timing could not have been better. Canon 5d III, 500mm f4L IS w/ 1.4TC, 1/1600th, f5.6, ISO 1600.