The Stare

Gallery: AvianPosted June 18, 2011162 views15 comments

Close to Cape Town is Intaka Island where this shot of the Black Crowned Night Heron was taken early one morning from the bird hide. The sun was just coming out over the mountains behind the hide and lit up the area above and behind the bird. I used a bean bag to help steady the equipment as I needed a low shutter speed to keep the ISO down. I love the stare I got and that amazing eye.

Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/250
Av( Aperture Value ) 4.5
Metering Mode Evaluative Metering
Exposure Compensation +1/3
ISO Speed 400
Auto ISO Speed ON
Lens EF500mm f/4L IS USM
Focal Length 500.0mm
White Balance Mode Auto
AF Mode AI Servo AF

Thnx for you views and crits.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on June 18, 2011 at 2:50 PM

Beautiful capture Neal, the OOF colorful BG is an added bonus to the great pose and detail in the heron. Well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 18, 2011 at 3:30 PM

Nice pose and perch. I'd like to see this with less saturation.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 18, 2011 at 5:07 PM

What a great eye on this shot Neal. Really sharp with good overall IQ in the larger version. I agree with Rich. A bit lower saturation would make this nice image even better.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on June 18, 2011 at 8:43 PM

Excellent pose and eye contact. The colors are great but maybe a bit over saturated IMO.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 18, 2011 at 9:17 PM

Unique pose - great eye.
Great BG that really contributes a lot.
Small nit - there is a little blue line at the top of the perch that seems out of place. not sure what it is..
Fine image!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 18, 2011 at 11:57 PM

An amazing eye indeed, Neal. Gorgeous image. I love the pose and the bg really sets the Heron off.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 18, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Great work on this BCNH Neal. I like it as posted...the saturation is a tiny bit much, but not too over the top IMO.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 19, 2011 at 12:07 AM

A simple and sweet portrait Neal. Excellent detail, head turn and eye contact. But that background really turns the tables to positive side for me. Excellent photo

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on June 19, 2011 at 2:06 AM

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I have re-posted a slightly reduced saturation image. I also think it works better. Sandy, I have looked at the original in all sizes and can't see the thin blue line you refer to. Can you be more specific on its location.

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 19, 2011 at 6:08 AM

Great pose, detail and colours neal - well done

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 19, 2011 at 12:31 PM

Wonderful, wonderful. That pop of yellow in the background offsets the bird in an outstanding way. Great sharpness of the bird itself and I love the pose with him leaning into the picture.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 19, 2011 at 4:01 PM

Great color! Like the perch and the great eye contact.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 19, 2011 at 4:23 PM

Excellent capture of a beautiful bird in a very nice setting. Love the head turn and vivid eye.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on June 19, 2011 at 8:52 PM

Excellent pose and beautiful background. I like both the original and the repost.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on June 21, 2011 at 12:19 PM

What a pose and look from this heron, I also like the repost better, well done.

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