Green Heron with Fish

Gallery: AvianPosted October 18, 2012387 views12 comments

Cullinan Park, Sugar Land, TX August 2012

"Down the Hatch"

D4 ISO 800. 500/4 with 1.4 x tc. f 5.6 1/1250s. Handheld. Early morning sun.

This was a great year for this small (currently) protected wetlands area in Sugar Land. It was completely dry after the drought last year, but has refilled and is alive with activity. Fishing was amazing for the birds during August and September.

There is a local airport adjacent to this park and the birds tolerate the small plane traffic well. For years there has been talk of expanding the airport to commercial traffic (making 3 airports in the Houston area), but the important nesting area within the park has kept it from happening so far. I hope it remains so.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 18, 2012 at 11:17 PM

WOW

Angela,
You have some great action here, This is very nice and the large version is perfect, a must see!

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 18, 2012 at 11:23 PM

Wonderful shot, Angela. The early sun, shadow beyond the bird and low angle had me thinking this was with flash. Splendid light for great detail.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 19, 2012 at 12:33 AM

Terrific catch! LOVE that eye and tongue! Really nice detail.

From here, the water and sand both look unnaturally aqua-ish. I started to comment before, but wanted to calibrate before I said anything. The odd hue hasn't changed after calibration. Is it just me?

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 19, 2012 at 5:14 AM

Great shot Angela - what a mouth full

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

Comment posted by May Haga on October 19, 2012 at 1:04 PM

I sincerely hope the airport never expands and ruins this wetlands. Great timing, excellent capture.
May

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on October 19, 2012 at 1:29 PM

Wow, great timing here Angela. Hard to believe they can swallow that!

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 19, 2012 at 5:35 PM

I really like the "perch" and the fish going down is great. I have to agree with Sandy re the blues/aquas....they just look a little unnatural, though the colors in your bird look accurate. Point of focus is right on and the water on the lily pad is great, too. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on October 19, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Very nice Angela. Down the hatch indeed!

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Oakley on October 19, 2012 at 10:51 PM

Wow, great timing Angela - cracking shot,
Greg

Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 19, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Sandy, I noticed the water color too. I reviewed my images from this location and they are all the same. I think I remember the water looking somewhat that way to my eye, as well when I was shooting. As you can see, there is no color cast to the heron. I never adjust saturation or color in my images.

The water lillies have taken over this pond and I wonder if some algae are producing color in the water. Some of the lilly pads have a very blue look to them also. Maybe they are producing the color? Another alternate explanation. Morning sky was very intensely blue and may be the water is reflecting the sky. Remember in Houston at 7am in August it's 90 degrees and 90 % humidity.

To Charlie....I don't know how to use my flash. I was going to use my SB900 today and when I opened the battery case there was acid in it-----YUK. Never use Eveready batteries.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 20, 2012 at 4:20 AM

Whoa! That's a mouthful, and the size of that lily pad is amazing too.

Great shot Angela!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on October 21, 2012 at 7:56 PM

Excellent shot Angela!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments