7D

As of December, 2009 Canon's EOS 7D will be my primary camera. This camera provides a lot of bang for buck!. The autofocus is a definite step up from the XXD camera series. Add HD video to the mix and a few other new features and this was a big step up from the 50D.

50D

I use Canon's EOS 50D as my back up camera. The EOS 50D incorporates a host of features with Canon's highly acclaimed 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and new DIGIC IV Image Processor.

500mm f/4 IS

For a long long time I dreamed of owning this lens. Now that I have it I have to say that it is probably the best lens I have ever used and I could not be happier. Incorporating image stabilization technology, this is truly one of the world's best lenses for wildlife and nature photography. It may have cost more than my car - but I love it!

Photo's with the 500mm f/4 IS - here

400mm f/5.6

The ultimate lens for photographing birds in flight! The lens is very light and it focuses extremely quickly.

300mm f/4 IS

For larger subjects, when photographing in a blind, for flight shots or when 500mm is simply too much lens this is a great lens to have. The lens is very light and its close focussing distance of 1.5m makes it a great tool for macro photography as well.

Photo's with the 300mm f/4 IS- here

70-200mm f/4

This is an awesome lens to have in the bag. It performs great and is so light and easy to use taht every time I put it on my camera I am amazed. Canon recently released an image stabilized version of this lens. For me though, IS seems unnecessary. Regardless the 70-200 is the perfect mid range zoom lens.

Photo's with the 70-200mm f/4 - here

100mm f/2.8 macro

When you want to get up close and personal with your subjects this is the lens to do it. For insects, amphibians and any other little critters this is lens awesome and it allows 1x magnification.

Photo's with the 100mm f/2.8 macro - here

17-40mm f/4

For scenery this is the lens to have. At 17mm it's pretty much as wide as I ever want to go and at 40mm its a great walk around lens. Very versatile, fairly light and reasonably affordable.

Photo's with the 17-40mm f/4 - here

Canon 1.4x Converter

When it comes to wildlife, and especially birds, it is often a case of the more focal length the better! As a result I find myself using the 1.4x converter very often with my 500mm lens. The converter features a multi layer lens coating and lens design that reduces flare and also creates an optimum color balance.

Canon 2x Converter

The 2x converter is a very valuable accessory for the nature photograpger. But for the time being I don't use this converter very often as I lose two stops of light and also autofocus capabilities with my current camera body. Eventually though, I will upgrade to a 1 series body and I'm sure I will use this accessory heaps.

550 EX

This was Canon's formertop-of-the-line Speedlite. Its got plenty of power and I have always been pleased with its performance.

430EX

I use the 430 EX flash as a backup option to the 550EX. I was extremely glad to have had it in Costa Rica when my 550 EX stopped working on me. It's always good to have a backup!

I actually own six 430EX's because I use them for multi-flash hummingbird work and also for fill flash in difficult lighting situations.

MR-14 EX Macro Ring Light

This ring light is used for close-up and macro shooting. It is extremely useful to have when photographing insects at life-size magnification as it allows the extra depth of field that is so necessary in macro photography.

Better Beamer Flash Extender

Tthe "Better Beamer" Flash Extender will extend the distance of your flash range. But what I find much more useful is the fact that it allows for faster refresh rates and reduced battery consumption, creating a better chance of catching the action when it happens.

Kenko Extension Tube Set

Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance. Getting closer has the effect of magnifying your subject (making it appear larger in the viewfinder and in your pictures). They are exceptionally useful for macro photography or when photographing small birds inside of the minimum focussing distance of telephoto lenses.

Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord

The Canon Off Camera Shoe Cord 2 was designed to assist photographers in more efficiently lighting their subjects. I use this item with my wimberley flash bracket to allow for better flash positioning, which translates into more controllable illumination.

Gitzo 1340 Mk II

When shooting with a 500mm lens a sturdy tripod is an absolute must. The Gitzo Systematic tripods are the strongest and most stable available on the market. Even though it is a bit on the heavy side, I am extremely happy with this tripod.

Wimberly Head

The Wimberley Head is a specialized tripod head for telephoto lenses. Its gimbal-type design allows you to rotate your lens around its center of gravity and thus easily manipulate very large lenses. The Wimberley Head has is prety much the industry standard for serious nature photographers using super-telephoto lenses.

Markins Q-Ball M10 Ballhead

This light weight, all-in-one type ballhead comes with a quick release clamp and panning capabilities for panoramic photography. It is extremely smooth and sturdy. I use it for macro work, landscapes and very often when shooting at ground level with my "pan-pod".

Wimberley Flash Bracket

There are many occasions in nature photography where flash is best used off camera. In telephoto applications, raising the flash higher minimizes red or "steel" eye in wildlife photos, since the directional lighting is on a different plane than the lens. This also helps reduce shadows from flash use by casting the shadow downward behind the subject where it less apparent.