Yellow Crowned Night Heron w/ Ghost Crab

Gallery: EPA 2009Posted May 4, 20092,027 views39 comments

EPA 2009 - Second Honorable Mention - Avian Gallery

I was out shooting with Lia yesterday morning when this Yellow-crowned Night Heron flew by us. A few minutes later we found him further down the beach feeding. He gave us quite a show as he stalked, caught, and ate a couple of Ghost crabs before flying off.

It was interesting to watch as he dropped the crab a couple of times and then had to chase him again. He appeared to be methodical in his approach and was very interested in grabbing, and then dispatching, the crab’s largest pincer first. From that point he seemed to settle down and enjoy his breakfast before moving onto the next.

I’ve walked up on several YCNHs eating crabs but seeing the chase and catch as well is an entirely different event.

1D MkIII, 100-400 @ 350mm, 1/2000, f/7.1, -1/3, ISO 250, 85% of FF, HH

Thanks for looking. Comments and critiques always welcome.

Comments

39 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 4, 2009 at 4:53 PM

Wonderful shot. The action is outstanding as is the detail. No nits from me. Just a super shot.

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

Comment posted by Rita Sarno-Hrabie on May 4, 2009 at 4:55 PM

This is an exquisite capture; the techs and composition are spot on. I do feel sorry for the poor crab though.

Registered on August 2, 2008, 34 Posts, 105 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on May 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM

What a shot full of action. Great low perspective, and I really like the depth here, just enough to make out the background which, coupled with everything else, gives sense of environs.

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 4, 2009 at 5:43 PM

Excellent. Angle, action, detail, composition everything very good.
May

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 4, 2009 at 5:45 PM

Excellent detail, action and behavior, Adrian! And especially nice that you caught the animation of the crabs legs at the moment you shot. I personally prefer the YC over the BC, for the adult's body and head plumage. If I had anything to critique - admittedly a bit subjective - it would be for a hair more real estate on the RHS, and about a half stop less exposure (the distinct shadow under the left leg suggests it could go a little darker). Look forward to more!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Floris van Breugel on May 4, 2009 at 6:18 PM

That is awesome, both the bird and the action/behavior are super. I would have traded a little off the top for a little more on the bottom for balance, but in no way does that take away from the shot! Love those two 'hairs' on his head too!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 306 Posts, 4840 Comments

Comment posted by Christopher Tubbs on May 4, 2009 at 6:28 PM

Fantastic, Adrian!

Registered on September 17, 2007, 25 Posts, 353 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 4, 2009 at 6:55 PM

Awesome! This is such a great shot on so many levels. Wonderful action. Natural color and light. Terrific technicals.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 4, 2009 at 7:17 PM

Wonderful capture and info, thanks!

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 4, 2009 at 10:17 PM

Love this! The expression on the bird is very good!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on May 4, 2009 at 10:29 PM

Just excellent!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Ramos on May 4, 2009 at 10:54 PM

Adrian:This is the best yellow crowned night heron shot I have seen by far! Wow this is terrific!

Registered on December 24, 2008, 43 Posts, 281 Comments

Comment posted by Angie Chappell on May 5, 2009 at 2:09 AM

Awesome shot Adrian!!

Registered on April 9, 2009, 11 Posts, 247 Comments

Comment posted by Michal Jonczyk on May 5, 2009 at 6:17 AM

I think that will be one of my favorite shots from now. It's cruel, but it's one awsome picture.

Registered on September 7, 2005, 25 Posts, 196 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 5, 2009 at 8:04 AM

Outstanding action and clarity Adrian - wonderful shot. I'd be tempted to add a bit to the bottom if you have it.

cheers Rob

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 5, 2009 at 8:05 AM

Outstanding action and clarity Adrian - wonderful shot. I'd be tempted to add a bit to the bottom if you have it.

cheers Rob

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on May 5, 2009 at 12:20 PM

This is a great photo. Good job. I do agree it could use a little more space at the bottom.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 5, 2009 at 3:50 PM

Adrian

This YCNH sure gave us a wonderful show, didn't it? Seeing the chase twice was amazing.

I love your great low angle, the pose you have here for the crab and the heron, the light, the wonderful details in the feathers and the sharpness. I love how the one claw is midair, the plumes that are standing up, the open beak and the great look at the eye.

This is an excellent photo.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Donato on May 6, 2009 at 12:02 AM

Excellent shot, Great action.

Registered on January 27, 2009, 29 Posts, 247 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 6, 2009 at 12:34 AM

Simply excellent. Besides everything else. I think of YCNH as nocturnal or at least crepuscular. Great to see one in broad daylight.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 6, 2009 at 11:06 PM

That's just a terrific wildlife image Adrian, great expressions, action and comp, big congrats.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Adrian on May 7, 2009 at 5:01 PM

Thanks for all the comments! I do agree that the image could be improved by having a little more room at the bottom, and even on the RHS. Unfortunately I didn't have it in this capture. Or any of the ones just before or after. In subsequent shots the YCNH was standing more upright so what's empty space in this frame is actually filled in others. I should have zoomed out but didn't make that realization in time. Next time though....

Registered on February 14, 2009, 6 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Rosemarie Arbur on May 12, 2009 at 2:14 AM

Wonderful narrative, and super photo. Congrats

Registered on March 19, 2008, 189 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on May 14, 2009 at 4:10 AM

excellent capture Adrian and a well deserved EP

Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on May 25, 2009 at 8:12 PM

Terrific capture. Congrats.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Pete D on May 26, 2009 at 3:23 PM

This is a great nature photograph in every regard. The emotional contrast of the beautiful bird doing what is perfectly natural but seems cruel makes this a real work of nature art. Congratulations on a well-deserved Weekly Pick.

Pete D.
ps - just read the comments below and I see others saw the beauty and the "cruelty" of it, so I'm not entirely mad.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 590 Posts, 1794 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 2, 2010 at 10:08 AM

Adrian

The day you took this image was simply amazing wasn't it?

Congratulations on a well deserved Editor's Pick Award in the Avian Gallery!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 2, 2010 at 7:07 PM

Big congrats on your EPA for 2009 Adrian. I absolutely love the image.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 2, 2010 at 8:00 PM

Wonderful story to go with the photo, Adrian. Congrats on the EPA.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on January 2, 2010 at 10:28 PM

Perfection! Congrats on the EPA Adrian!

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 3, 2010 at 1:49 PM

This is an amazing shot. Love the action and the light. Congratulations on your EPA.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on January 3, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Hello Adrian.

Congrats on the award.

Superb capture and great timing poor crab though.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostock on January 3, 2010 at 4:10 PM

This is exceptional. Great action. Congratulations on the EPA.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 3, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Big congrats Adrian, a wonderful action shot.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on January 4, 2010 at 3:51 PM

Well deserved pick. Congratulations Adrian.
May

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on January 5, 2010 at 4:08 AM

Ouch! Oh, Nature is often not kind when it comes to feeding... But I understand the fascination with watching and appreciate this fine capture. Congratulations.