First Bite

Gallery: AvianPosted December 2, 2010131 views12 comments

The second in this series of images. When this first began it looked like just another posturing thing the egrets do, but it escalated into a full fledged battle. Interestingly, some other birds watched, but most ignored the happenings.

I appreciate all critiques and suggestions.

D700 300mm2.8 w/1.4TC f/5.6 1/4000 iso 640

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on December 2, 2010 at 6:32 PM

Not the usual huff and puff. Nice series.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 2, 2010 at 6:35 PM

I like the action and the nice light. Can't get the bird's to stand out much better against a BG. SS stopped things really nice for you.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 2, 2010 at 7:36 PM

I've viewed both LP's, and I prefer the previous post even with the two birds BG.
Both very cool shots with nice details,
Must've been great to see this behavior unfold

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 2, 2010 at 11:05 PM

Incredible Action - primo exposure!

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 2, 2010 at 11:58 PM

Really interesting encounter that I'd love to witness. The image is a standout-the exposure of the egrets is excellent, the lighting and the dark background superb.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 3, 2010 at 10:13 AM

Wow. Did anybody get hurt? Love the exposure and how the birds stand out against the background.

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

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on December 3, 2010 at 12:25 PM

When I first looked at this I didn't really care that much for it...it seemed a bit confusing mainly because the 2nd head is not visible. But the more I look at it the more I like it. From the expression on the bitten, extended wings on the biter and the waterdrops flying this is a nice behavorial shot with great exposure Wayne. Well done

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 3, 2010 at 3:54 PM

Wayne,
well captured and interesting behavioural shot. Great exposure management.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 3, 2010 at 5:08 PM

Wayne, I think you handled the exposure of the whites well against the darker background. I really like the behavior shown in the photo, looks like the egret whose head we can not see it taking a nip out of the other ones tail from the little bit of its bill that is showing. Love the spread of the wing of the bird whose head isn't visible too.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 3, 2010 at 8:11 PM

Wayne, as others have said your exposure is excellent and 1/4000 certainly stopped this frenzied action. At first I was a bit flustered because I couldn't immediately figure out where all the body parts were but as I studied the image I decided that was part of the charm here. Great that you didn't clip anything.

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 3, 2010 at 8:39 PM

Really nicely captured behaviour shot, Wayne! Really nice job on the exposure and the dark background really helps emphasize the birds - very cool!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 4, 2010 at 7:40 PM

I prefer this image over the previous one, Wayne. This one appears first as a tangle of wings and really provokes us to figure out what's going on here. Beautiful exposure and great frozen action on both.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments