Great Blue Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted January 4, 2011208 views18 comments

Another from my excursion to Ridgefield NWR on December 30th. This guy posed quite a while. In retrospect, I probably should have removed the TC to provide a bit more room for him. I like the open beak pose and the way it looks like he's wearing a scarf to ward off the cold.

7D, 500mm f4 lens with 1.4TC, hand held from car window, f7.1, 1/200, iso 640, Av mode with no compensation. Noise reduction with Neat Image (it likes a smooth area to calibrate on, but it still worked here). Normal processing in CS4. Full frame.

I always appreciate your comments and criticisms.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 4, 2011 at 10:07 PM

Lovely open bill and 1 leg pose. I lik the background which isn't too busy or intrusive.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 4, 2011 at 10:51 PM

Very nice Dennis. I like the single leg balancing act, and the scarf goes well with his "basic wardrobe". .

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 4, 2011 at 10:56 PM

I like the open mouth and the one legged stance. The look on the GBH's face is priceless. I really enjoy this capture.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 4, 2011 at 11:05 PM

I like this as posted. I got a chilled GBH with ice and snow many years ago at Bosque del Apache, but it was on film and I've never been able to get a good scan from it. This is very nice.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on January 4, 2011 at 11:13 PM

One of my favorite birds, Dennis. They do pose which is great. I think you've done a good job here and I love the open beak.

Cheers,

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 4, 2011 at 11:16 PM

Dennis, this has beautiful clarity and wonderful light.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on January 5, 2011 at 12:31 AM

Hi Dennis, I like what everyone else likes! Nice image!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 5, 2011 at 12:34 AM

A bit lower angle might be wished for, but the rest is top notch! He looks very happy (in a "Woody Woodpecker" sort of way) with the open beak. Excellent detail, the slightly overcast winter light can be a friend.

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 5, 2011 at 6:47 AM

A nice crisp image Dennis showing how spikey the feathers are. He certainly looks nicely balanced on that one leg. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 5, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Love the pose here Dennis. Habitat is nice too. The open beak and fluffed feathers make this one for me. Plenty of room for me. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on January 5, 2011 at 8:24 AM

Looks like he's telling you where to go, Dennis. Great techs.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 5, 2011 at 8:51 AM

You've caught an excellent standing open beak pose here Dennis..
Nice & sharp, the bird contrasts/stands out nicely in this great natural setting too.
Well composed - Very well done!

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 5, 2011 at 10:07 AM

fantastic, Dennis. Love the open bill, ruffled feathers, and great habitat. You've got just enough room for me. This is outstanding.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 5, 2011 at 1:58 PM

The head turn, open beak, one legged pose, and maybe most of all, the natural background that contrasts so well with the bird make this one a real winner, Dennis.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM

Deniis, I like the one legged stance from this GBH. Very nice detail and colors. I am totally fine with the amount of room on this one. Doesn't feel crowded to me at all.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on January 5, 2011 at 6:31 PM

Dennis, great shot. Very unique pose.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 5, 2011 at 7:11 PM

A beauty Dennis

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 6, 2011 at 6:27 AM

Very nice Blue Heron shot. Looks like the bird is trying to ward off a competitor. Love the open bill!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments