Great Blue Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted January 23, 2011168 views21 comments

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Date: January 2, 2011
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-S, TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: aperture priority matrix meter, ISO 400, 1/320th @ f/8
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, about 92% of frame

Many things have conspired to keep me from shooting much lately, so here's a simple image from earlier in the month when we had a short period of freezing morning temperatures – that's frost/ice on the heron's back.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible, please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 23, 2011 at 11:34 AM

That water is gorgeous, and the frost on the back is really cool. Good DOF to get the whole bird in focus. Only thing I'd prefer is maybe a bit more of a head turn.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 23, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Nice reflection and gorgeous water colors. Amazing how hardy these birds are. Considering the frost on his back, how cold were his feet?

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

Comment posted by dan elster on January 23, 2011 at 12:02 PM

I like the unusual composition and the reflecting colors of the water.

The white under the birds eye looks a bit bright.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 23, 2011 at 12:47 PM

Beautiful light, Richard. I like the composition.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 23, 2011 at 4:23 PM

Love the water color, the reflection, and his feathers. The frost on his back is a nice addition.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 23, 2011 at 4:24 PM

Excellent reflected color in the water. The frost on the Heron's back is something I've never seen, let alone seen documented. Nice detail in the feathers and a fine shot of a Great Blue focused on his job.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 23, 2011 at 4:50 PM

Love the ice on the back. Wish for a little more head turn.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 23, 2011 at 4:50 PM

So well composed in the frame. I like all the space you provided for the bird's gaze. Great.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 23, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Rich,

The colors in the water are glorious and the effect of it is very appealing to me.The frost on the heron's back adds a lot of interest especially since this was taken in AZ. I suppose some people might like more of a head turn towards the viewer but in this case I like the head angle, I can see the eye so it's not like it is missing. Beautiful light & comp. For me this image has a dreamy quality I find enjoyable.

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

Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 23, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Good shot! I like the composition. The frost on the back is a plus. Nice reflection on the water.

Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 23, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Really nice shot Rich. I love the water and DOF in this image. Nice refection and comp too. The frost adds and the head turn is fine for this style image. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on January 23, 2011 at 11:49 PM

Unusual comp but it works. I think a vertical crop would work also but it's more scenic this way. Nice detail, nice water colors and the frost is a nice bonus.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 24, 2011 at 12:32 AM

I think a vertical crop would work also ...

I've got a vertical version on my blog.

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 24, 2011 at 3:04 AM

A nicely composed image Richard showing the full image reflection. Lovely water colours and that head turn looks just right to me. The frost on his back certainly adds a bit of interest. Graham

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 24, 2011 at 5:27 AM

Love the colours and simple comp Ricahrd - very effective.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 24, 2011 at 7:47 AM

wonderful color, Rich, and the frost on the back is a nice touch. The pose works for me. My only nit is not really a nit, but a matter of personal preference: when a full reflection is included, I have a tendency to view bird+reflection as a single subject, and as such often find that subject a little tight in the frame. I feel that a little here, but the fact that the reflection of the head isn't as clear helps to dilute that feeling some. Like I say though, this is, I think, more a personal quirk than anything, and this is a striking shot.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 24, 2011 at 1:01 PM

Wonderful colors and I like the compositon showing that along with the reflecftion. The frost really adds to the story/image, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on January 24, 2011 at 1:57 PM

Interesting perspective Richard. The color of the water really adds to this for me.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 24, 2011 at 7:03 PM

Hi Richerd

An interesting and artistic composition. Beautiful color and reflections .agree about a little more head turn.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 25, 2011 at 8:50 AM

Coming in late like this, I usually peruse the others comments.
Pros/cons duley noted. Like it very much as posted, a pleasure to view Richard.
Well done!

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 29, 2011 at 2:36 PM

I think it's the colors in the water that really make this image special, Richard. Almost any bird standing in that water would make a beautiful picture! Because of that I think that you have flexibility in what head turn works here. I'm fine with it as posted. Beautiful image.

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