New Lens!

So today was super exciting!   We both got new equipment to play with!   Ted got a new Nikon Z8 camera body, and I got a new Nikon 180-600 lens!   I met with a friend for lunch after buying it and right after went out to Aqua Caliente Park to test my new lens.   I was not disappointed.

I was only there for a short time, but in that time, I got some great pictures as well as met some great people!    There was a beautiful female merganser out there on the pond early on. 

Later on, there was also a snowy egret that came to the pond for a bit.   I got some wonderful shots of it before it took off.  

While talking to one of the people I met and her son, I learned that one of the ducks is named Oreo for its coloration.    It is a common mallard, but it has a rare genetic thing going on where it has black and white patches instead of normal coloring.     I made friends with him while I was there as well as he followed me around for a bit and would hang out near me while I was sitting down to take pictures. 

Just before I left, I was able to get a few shots of a beautiful pintail duck too.   Sadly, I cut off the tip of its tail in my favorite picture.   I guess this gives me an excuse to go back out soon to see if I can get some more amazing pictures!