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GB Heron with chick
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GB Heron with chick

by Matt Shellenberg

Gallery: AvianPosted March 28, 2012175 views12 comments
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias

This is from March 5th. I was really excited to see this Heron with chicks. There are two chicks in the nest, however, after waiting for hours I never did get a shot with both chicks raising their heads.

I stayed well away from the nest (45 meters based on my EXIF data) so I would not disturb it.

Please view larger post for detail.

1D Mk IV, 500mm f4L IS, 1.4 TC
ISO 200, 1/1250, f11
73% of full frame

All comments and critique very appreciated.
Thank You.

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 28, 2012 at 8:04 PM
Matt - Excellent - it's very tough to get GBH nests and chicks, since they are usually high in trees, obscured by the branches, and the nests are a tangled mess.
Great detail, nice natural colours, and good angle.
:toast:
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 28, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Terrific image Matt! Nice clear shot of the pair and excellent detail considering the distance. :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 28, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Wonderful color and capture comp. :wink:
Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments
Comment posted by Tonia Graves on March 28, 2012 at 9:56 PM
Nice work getting the mom & chick both clearly visible! The light is also very nice!
Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments
Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 28, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Love this shot.
Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 28, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Beautiful shot Matt, love the open beak on the little one. You might have needed even a bit more dof to get the baby tack sharp but it's hard to tell with young ones as their downy coat can make them look a bit soft. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 28, 2012 at 10:49 PM
This is great, Matt. Nice to have this interaction in a photo and to have both birds sharp. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 29, 2012 at 3:22 AM
Great family portrait Matt :cool: I like the clean view of the parent and chick, while still seeing intricate nest material. Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by May Haga on March 29, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Cool, totally cool. Well done Matt.
May
Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments
Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on March 29, 2012 at 3:47 PM
Wonderful, Matt. I know the excitement seeing heron nests.

Very well done!

D&L
Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments
Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 29, 2012 at 8:29 PM
So cute! Really nice sharpness and clarity on the mother, and I would be very happy with the sharpness you have of the chick.
Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments
Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on March 29, 2012 at 9:07 PM
That is really cute Matt. I do not believe I have ever seen a GBH chick. Good job capturing it.
Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments