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Great Blue Heron w Lunch
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Great Blue Heron w Lunch

by Bruce Palla

Gallery: AvianPosted October 12, 2010115 views3 comments
My very first GBH that didn't spook and fly before I got within range! After shooting it from across the pond as the sun rose for a while, I thought I would walk around closer, all the while waiting to take a flight shot!
This was taken while I watched him/her get ready to strike. I actually had to zoom between 200 and 500 for this shot because of the distance and the fallen tree being used as a perch. The actual strike shots weren't that great (otherwise I'd post them!).
I do wonder whether it should be wider to include more of the body. Thoughts?

D200, f8, 1/250, 125iso, +1/3 EV, 200-500, monopod

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on October 13, 2010 at 8:55 AM
Great timing with the fish in the air! The focus seems to be on the shoulder and makes the head soft.

Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 13, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Nice action here Bruce. It looks like your SS of 1/250 was too slow to stop the action cold and get a tack sharp image. Given the bird was pretty much perpendicular to you, and thus you did not need a deep DOF to get your subject sharp, I probably would have decreased my f to 6.3 and increased my ISO, both allowing you to get a higher SS. I like at least 1/1000s for fast action like a heron strike or flight. Especially if you were expecting a flight shot as you mentioned in your comments.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 13, 2010 at 9:34 PM
Bruce,

I like the action and how the fish is mid air between the maxilla and mandible. Looking at your file properties you were at 360mm. I agree with Ron B about increasing the ISO and using f6.3 to get a shot like this. You really needed more shutter speed to get this shot sharp. I wouldn't have used +0.3 as the whites look blown under the eye and on the neck.

It is always nice to get within range for the first time, congrats on that.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments