Green goblin

Gallery: AvianPosted January 23, 201292 views10 comments

Green herons are some of my favorite birds to photograph. This particular one I have seen several times at this spot and every time this heron decides to come closer. This image is not cropped at all (although I wish there was bit more room at the bottom). It was surprisingly cold during this morning as I shot this image before sunrise. At 1/20 of a second I am really surprised at how still the bird stayed and how steady I was. The camera was tripod mounted and tried to get the lowest possible angle for the shot. Anyways, comments and critiques appreciated.

Canon 7d
Canon 400mm f/5.6 @f/5.6
1/20 sec
ISO 400
Tripod

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 23, 2012 at 9:05 PM

You must have been real close to get this bird full frame like that with a 400mm - really nice habitat image just wish that bottom foot weren't cut off

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 23, 2012 at 9:07 PM

Thanks Luke. This isn't the first time one has gotten this close. The bird was standing along the edge of the pond about 40 feet out and five minutes later it's standing in front of me.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 23, 2012 at 9:35 PM

looks amazingly sharp at this size for such a slow shutter speed, Peter. a nice setting and good pose, kind of a tough situation at the bottom, where you need a little more room for the foot, but it also looks like having it would just introduce more oof elements without really showing said foot.

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

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 23, 2012 at 9:55 PM

Thanks Brian. It was kind of annoying not being able to have the foot visible, but at the same time there would be too much stuff going on with more room on the bottom.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 23, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Yes, I know this bird and location. There's just enough room at the cutout to squat behind a low tripod and shoot this tiny rock/island that the heron uses for fishing.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on January 23, 2012 at 11:44 PM

Peter,
You have a very steady hand/tripod for sure to capture this bird with such sharp detail at 1/20th. Congrats on that. The OOF elements along the bottom distract a little bit for me but that just a personal preference. I'd keep after this bird if he's so cooperative. Maybe you can get a slightly cleaner shot with out all of the intruding elements along the bottom.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 24, 2012 at 6:27 AM

Thanks Richard. It is a convenient spot to shoot from, but I've only been able to take advantage of it once or twice.

David, I'm sure I'll have more chances to photograph this bird. However it likes to get to this spot as there is a little stream that empties into the water, and the bird likes to fish right at the mouth of it where a lot of elements end up blocking the bird.

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 24, 2012 at 1:03 PM

Nice look at the heron in his natural environment - good work with this very slow SS.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 24, 2012 at 11:43 PM

I too have an affection for this species. I have had them nest on my property, but they did all their feeding on an adjacent private pond, the owner of which didn't take kindly to trespassing. So, I have no really good images of them. This is really nice. Good sharpness and detail. The lack of one foot doesn't bother me too much. Especially impressive at 1/20 second.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 27, 2012 at 8:26 PM

Agree about room at the bottom but a lovely detailed shot

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