Just messin' around with a new "used" lens!

Al Hansen

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Love this time of the year when we have some color to enhance the landscape.


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Bosque del Apache NWR is beginning to fill up with visitors. Because of the gov't shutdown they are behind in filling the holding ponds but the crews are getting it done as quickly as possible. This year they have water. Last year there was none and they couldn't afford the $10,000 electric bill (per month) to pump it out of the wells that they have.

This wildlife refuge, which is only 8 miles from our home, has got to be one of the best in North America. We are so lucky to have it in our back yard!

I have much to learn and get used to with this Canon 100-400mm lens. It will be a challenge but fun!

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Nice photos! Is that a no-hunt refuge or does it have any designated hunting areas? I sure would like to have a trophy quality Pintail for the wall. Just can't seem to be lucky enough to get a long sprigged one.
 
great shots Al. I am headed to NW Texas which would be about 1/2 way to your house from mine in the morning. Come on by for a morning coffee and duck shoot if your bored :)
 
AL, That sure is a beautiful playground you have. It seems to me that the lens works just fine! Those are some great pictures.
Thanks for sharing, Jeff
 
Al,

And I'm sure you've contacted every wildfowl publisher you can think of. Those are wonderful photos. Should be in print.
 
Al, I believe some of those snows were here a few days ago. A buddy of mine had a flock of 80 land in the field behind his work the other night but they were gone almost before we could formulate a plan to go after them. Great photos as always!
 
Neat stuff. Amazing how many pintails are there.
Keep working with that new lens and I think you will get the hang of it. :)

Tim
 
Nice photos! Is that a no-hunt refuge or does it have any designated hunting areas? I sure would like to have a trophy quality Pintail for the wall. Just can't seem to be lucky enough to get a long sprigged one.
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Hi Tom,
On this refuge they allow hunts on light geese for both kids and adults. I know that the kids have also had turkey hunts there. The staff works very effectively with the public and they do a great job.

As for a bull sprig's tail I don't shoot very many of them however they don't seem all that long to me. I have even measured them and the longest sprig was only 8 1/8". About 10 years ago I shot a nice drake that was banded at Bosque del Apache NWR. That was much cooler.
Al
 
great shots Al. I am headed to NW Texas which would be about 1/2 way to your house from mine in the morning. Come on by for a morning coffee and duck shoot if your bored :)
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Best of luck to you, Tom. I sure wished that I could. It would only be about 400 miles and what a great place to hunt ducks. Right now are pups are going out the door to their new owners and it is busy time here.

The coffee and hunt would be great. I hope you will be taking some pictures, Tom.
Al
 
Fall sure is pretty there....lots of pintail too...nice to see....
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Hi Dani,
I agree. We don't get much in colors but this year with the abundant rains that we received in July and September the color of the leaves was much more intense than when we had been seeing while in the drought.

I am hoping that the leaves will hang around for another week or two. As for the pintails----they seem to like to hang out on the refuge because so many of the holding ponds are flooded grassy areas that they just love. So normally during the 5 months that they are here, I spend time shooting them with my Canon!
Al
 
AL, That sure is a beautiful playground you have. It seems to me that the lens works just fine! Those are some great pictures.
Thanks for sharing, Jeff
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Well, Jeff, that is a new way of explaining what this area looks like. I liked that. You are exactly correct----it is a huge playground with a sandbox to boot! We have more beaches here than any other state. All we are lacking is the water. I'm glad you like the pictures.
Al
 
Nice pictures Al! Good to see the birds are arriving in numbers.
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Hey Paul,
Funny how some of our first visitors down here along with the bluewing/cinnamon teal are the pintail drakes. The teal leave for Mexico but most of the pintails stay here. If the temps drop considerably, like they did 3 years ago when it -20F, they were out of here! I saw quite a few baldpates, also. They happen to be one of my favorites to hunt on the Rio Grande.
Al
 
Al,

And I'm sure you've contacted every wildfowl publisher you can think of. Those are wonderful photos. Should be in print.
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Thanks so much, Ed. On the contrary, that is the last thing I would do. Glad you enjoyed the pictures.
Al
 
Excellent pics Al !!!!
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Thanks so much, Doug. One day at a time with that new lens. Hopefully by this spring just before all our migrators leave I'll have it figured out.
Al
 
Amazing...The scenery sure is beautiful out there!
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Thanks so much, Colin. When I first came down here I couldn't believe how beautiful this part of the desert southwest was. I still think the same thing today, which happens to be exactly 17 years ago today, that Bev and I moved into our new home. Wow, how time flies when you are having fun!
Al
 
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