Great Blue

Gallery: AvianPosted October 18, 2010116 views7 comments

Caught this GBH a couple of weeks ago at a local lake where I've had some luck getting real close to them. This one was upset because he had just lost a huge white striped bass. He tried a few times to get it down after stabbing it, but the fish had a greater will to live than this heron did to eat. Wish the light had been better in those shots.

I like the open bill, wing spread and light in this one. And hopefully the rocks don't detract from the image as in my last post.

Nikon D300 w/sigma 50-500mm @ 135mm
f/8
1/200
ISO 200
tripod mounted low to the ground
small crop to remove grass blades

All comments and critiques welcomed and appreciated.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 18, 2010 at 7:44 PM

For me the rocks don't detract at all Doug - in fact I like them for their color with the bird. I like the warm light on the heron and I think the open bill and wing position shows well its displeasure over losing the bass. Nicely done.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on October 18, 2010 at 10:42 PM

Beautiful light on this Heron Doug. That pose is great. I do not think the rocks are an issue at all. Nice job with the composition.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 18, 2010 at 11:39 PM

This is pretty cool Doug. He does look upset with his beak open and the shrugged shoulders. I like the warm light and the rocks look great in the composition. I might try to soften the waves in the upper section of the water.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on October 19, 2010 at 10:28 AM

I love the warm light and his pose. The rocks compliment him well in this image.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Axel Hildebrandt on October 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Good light, BG and pose and only wish for a bit more eye contact.

Registered on October 16, 2006, 66 Posts, 441 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on October 19, 2010 at 5:32 PM

Don't mind the rocks a bit, Doug. The pose, and the wavelets in the BG make for a fine image. Nice warm light, too.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 19, 2010 at 8:19 PM

I like the open bill pose and your comp here Doug, since the rocks are darker they aren't an issue here. I only wish for more of a head turn.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments