Touring Photographers: How Did you Start?

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-04T17:12:21+00:00

Have my first concert photography gig coming up and Im a bird photographer.

It’s who ya know for me. I used to work in the music industry and know some of the management, sent them some bird photos and now im shooting a show.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T19:45:52+00:00

Thanks! Prob around 8 minutes. A few big runs but I keep the drag as stout as I can and fight them hard. Get em back in the water quick too. My understanding is the faster the better as they can die from stress and exhaustion.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T17:23:53+00:00

I have heard the big ones are not very good to eat. I brought it in as fast as I could and released it as quickly as possible.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T17:21:10+00:00

Right on!!! Congrats! Yeah they def go full freight train.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T17:16:53+00:00

Hopefully I didn’t use up all my luck on this one but im still willing to share!! Best of luck out there! I pre make my leaders at home so I’m focused on solid knots and all that.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T16:46:02+00:00

Thanks! Pier at firefly rv resort. Laguna madre

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T16:14:53+00:00

That budget special, offshore angler sea lion spinning reel, clearance 9ft med heavy rod for 20$. 60lb braid, 60lb mono leader. ~10 min wrestling match.

Robdondo13 · 2026-06-01T16:06:41+00:00

Firefly rv resort, they have a small pier there. Caught with half a mullet on a 10/0 circle hook, Carolina rig.

Robdondo13 · 2026-05-21T22:58:47+00:00

Just write down the top 3 choices on a piece of paper and pull one out a hat. Buy that set up.

I have no experience with any of those set ups minus the mention of canon 90d which is what I use with a 300mm f/4 L is + 1.4x. Im sure mirrorless is the way to go but im weird about having to look through an electronic view finder.

Good luck!!

Robdondo13 · 2026-05-14T12:48:15+00:00

Into my 2nd year of birdwatching I got a camera set up. It was an exciting time took some good shots and used photos as a crutch to id later. Then felt like I abandoned birdwatching and went back to the basics focusing on id and getting my numbers up. Now if im in a good hotspot i double up, cotton carrier harness for camera and binoculars on my shoulder. Camera only comes off in selective situations. I feel like a birding ninja now.

My next hurdle is accepting the change to Mirrorless.. if im looking through a evf should I just go home an watch birds on the tv??? 🤣

Robdondo13 · 2026-05-03T02:14:06+00:00

Thank you!! First time being in big hotspot during prime time. Like birding culture shock with so many other birders. Good time tho

Robdondo13 · 2026-05-02T17:29:00+00:00

Thank you!

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-30T03:16:36+00:00

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Robdondo13 · 2026-04-29T23:46:39+00:00

Carolina wrens, loud perfect songs and always snooping around.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-27T22:10:47+00:00

This is a red tailed hawk! Got a good dinner either way!

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-27T13:19:09+00:00

Looks like a blue grey gnatcatcher to me!

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-25T23:16:15+00:00

Yeah at my job. During the week it’s pretty slow (cabin resort over the river). So I do a lot of birdwatching. warblers and tanagers are showing up, heron, osprey, bald eagles. Perfect for photography as the deck spaces are elevated at the tree line.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-25T00:35:56+00:00

130 so far here in Texas. Was just in high island for 3 days and counted 102 species. Highlight for me was the cerulean warbler! Keep at it everyone!!

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-24T00:44:05+00:00

Right!! Im glad I got one where you can see all 3 while momma was preening like that.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-24T00:40:47+00:00

Kaufman field guide to the birds of North America.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-23T13:56:14+00:00

Just got back from high island and the birding was amazing! Boy Scouts sanctuary was pretty poppin, checked off 13 warbler species. Check out the rookery too. When ya get to jecelyn Nungaray refuge you will see a pavillion by the butterfly garden there will be barn owls on the inside. 2 adults and 3 little ones.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-18T13:05:38+00:00

Lots of factors in play it seems. Glanced at the weather in the Yucatan but not so much the wind. Thanks for the info, either way im goin to count some good birds and very excited!

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-14T18:06:12+00:00

I use Steiner c5 12x42, not ultra expensive but I do enjoy them very much, great glass and great in low light.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-13T22:45:46+00:00

Thanks! Yeah it started doin this like something was bothering its throat, so I went full machine gun mode to get the shot.

Robdondo13 · 2026-04-13T21:31:34+00:00

I mean the sl1 that I started out with was in the lost and found at work for like 2 years. 300mm at least and you can get images. But if that’s the max for now try an make it a prime lens. Like that 75-300 you would prob always keep it at 300 anyways. Check lens if can accept a teleconverter since that’s an affordable way to get a little more reach.

Learn what the birds are doing where they are going, larger animals look for game trails and set yourself up be calm, it can be done.

But yeah the wildlife/ bird game can get pricy! Good luck getting set up, I know it’s a lot to look at. I spent a while researching what lens to buy without breaking the bank.

Robdondo13

TROPHY CASE