Scouting for roadside waterfowl locations

[MontanaDave]

I use google map to scout for locations to park and photograph waterfowl.
I want a north-south gravel road, with a pond to the west for the morning sunrise.
Here is an example I found using google map:

The next step is to do a drive-by during the day, and I saw the pond had Cinnamon Teal, Canada Geese, Gadwalls.

So the next morning about an hour before sunrise, I pull over next to the pond.
I put a ghille net over the passenger side window, so I can see out but the birds can not see any of my movement.

Then I wait an hour or so for sunrise.
When a bird appears at the pond, I position my camera under the ghillie net,
and use my flip screen and eye-detection tracking.
I usually head home about 45 minutes after sunrise as the quality of light deteriorates.
Since I am slightly higher than the water, most of the shots are reflection shots.
Here is one at 10-meters from yesterday morning just as I was about to leave. American Avocet.

The lens zooms to 800mm, but I had to back down to 350mm to capture the bird/reflection within the frame at 10 meters.

 

[RVT1K]

That's a really nice shot of an interesting bird.

 

[jeffashman]

Beautiful capture, reflection and all!