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Great Blue Heron
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Great Blue Heron

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: AvianPosted April 18, 2016167 views7 comments
A pretty simple image of what seems like a pretty common scene, but I really liked the habitat aspect of this image.

7D2 Sigma 150-600 C @ 267 mm, handheld from boat, f/7.1, 1/1250, iso 800, manual exposure.  Processed in LR5 & CS6.  Full frame, selective sharpening to bird.  Taken at 1:42 PM under cloudy skies on March 26th.

Your comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 18, 2016 at 1:57 PM
I love it as posted. This has a great feel for location and habitat. The black background really sets off the gheron and the vegetation to advantqage.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 18, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Excellent habitat image Dennis. I love your choice of placement here and the dark background contrasts really well against the bird.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on April 18, 2016 at 6:40 PM
This is a really nice GBH image Dennis.  I really like the bird against the darker background.  Looks like classic habitat.  Well done!
Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 18, 2016 at 8:52 PM
I like the inclusion of the habitat Dennis, but the reed on the bottom of the beak is sort of distracting in my opinion. this is one of those times, I might be tempted to clone.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on April 19, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Hey Dennis,
This turned out well considering how deep in the reeds he was. I never saw this opening as I was trying to position the boat without disrupting the water with wake waves. You took full advantage and came away with an excellent image of subject and habitat. The reed under the chin doesn't bother me knowing the situation of this capture but as an objective observer I would have to agree that by removing it you could make a great image a tiny bit better. You wouldn't have to remove the whole thing just the top arch and turn it into two shorter reeds.
Well done . . .  devil
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on April 19, 2016 at 10:50 PM
Hi Dennis,

The Gbh is situated in a great place for fishing.  The reed off the bill is awkward, but the heron does not mind one bit.  I agree with Mike that this shot turned out quite well with all of the surrounding reeds.  The dark BG is very nice........................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 20, 2016 at 5:05 PM
A very nice environmental portrait of this guy Dennis, excellent detail and I like the reeds. devil
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments