This year marked an absolutely wonderful and successful return to Sanibel Island in Florida, where the birding is simply first rate. I'm driven by nature photography, especially when it's of avian subjects...I thank dad for that, as he loved pointing out birds to my brother and me. Also, I remember as a boy that dad always had a birding guide nearby that drew me into its pages, offering its colorful illustrations and curious descriptions of the different habits and nests of the birds.

Aiming for some well-composed images for magazine and general image stock, we wanted some artful photographs that could have text added in above and around them . . .and Sanibel Island and its surrounding areas was the perfect location to try and create those images.

So, it was back to the books on making sure all of the wealth of knowledge out there on popular - as well as competent - avian images was in the forefront of my mind before boarding the plane.

This burrowing owl above, who nests - surprise! - in a burrow - was very tolerant of a slow approach on my belly, which included some audible grunts as thorns and ground debris tore up my forearms. But the low, late-afternoon light was golden, a little diffused by clouds, and otherwise perfect ...so of course I was compelled! About 10 inches tall, this species is a real charmer and a treat to be able to photograph.

Not nearly as common as the brown pelican, a tip from a local fishermen led me to a pond where a few dozen white pelicans were wintering. Photographing white, moving birds in outdoor, changing daylight conditions is tough; you have to be careful with what your camera meter is telling you, as its not sure what you're trying to do and the big blob of white comfuses it. The proper exposure for this guy was almost a full stop of light less than the camera suggested, and bless digital for being able to give me that in a technical language on the back of the camera so I could compensate. Once the exposure was dialed in, it was only a matter of waiting about 30 minutes before I had a series of photographs like this one - and my image library had a new, gorgeous species.

The great blue heron (often known to ornitholigists as the GBH, but to me as the GEB, or Great Elusive Bastard) has always been a grail bird for me. They're pretty common even here in NY, but for some reason I'm never holding a camera with a telephoto lens when one is around. So this year, I was thrilled to locate about 5 of them in one place and have them cooperate to the degree that they did!

Added bonus for the shot is that he's feeding, so there's some diversity to the images aside from the bird "standing there." Another added bonus is that this fella's in breeding plumage. See the plume coming out the back of his head? That's a dead giveaway that he's looking for a girlfriend. Very cool.

Want to send a thank you out to www.lensprotogo.com for their great customer service and affordable rental fees. They sent me a brand-new, never used Nikon 400mm f2.8 VR lens for the gig, and it was a great performer...it gave such vivid colors and contrast, and offered super-fast autofocus. At almost ten pounds, it took a bit of getting used to in regards to handling - but in the end, bruises on my shoulder aside, the perfect tool for the job.