While Chincoteague, Virginia, is probably most widely known for its wild horses, the area is well-known as a birding Mecca. Photographers will find spectacular opportunities for all kinds of avian species. During spring and fall migrations, the numbers of birds and the variety of species is incredible. Throughout the late spring and summer, a great variety of shore birds are present.

Along the main drive through Chincoteague NWR, visitors can enjoy watching Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Glossy Ibises, and a variety of other birds feeding on fish, crabs, and other animals abounding in the salt marshes. Morning is the best time of the day for activity, but one location along the east side of the road (about ½ mile past the visitor’s center) is excellent all day, especially with late day light.

As you position yourself to shoot, try to set up your tripod near water level. Photographing birds from above is less effective than shooting on their eye-level. My lens of choice is Sigma’s 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM zoom. The zoom range allows you to focus on birds that are close at hand—and they can be within 20 feet!--and those subjects a bit further away. Indeed, many of the herons, egrets, and ibises are quite habituated, so you can get really close.