Through the reeds

Gallery: AvianPosted January 25, 2010111 views14 comments

It's been American Bittern week at the local refuge apparently. I spotted 5 in my last 2 visits and most have been very cooperative as they stalked the sloughs for tidbits. I like this image as it includes a lot of "grass n reed" type habitat that they love.

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/11 @ 1/125 ISO 800
auto window beanbag rest

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 25, 2010 at 1:57 PM

They do look incredibly co-operative Craig. All mine pretend to be reeds and look up thinking no-one will see them.
I love the eye contact here.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 25, 2010 at 2:56 PM

Great job getting close Craig. I esp like the way the beak pokes between the reeds. Looks pretty bright on parts of the throat to my eye but you had tricky light, seems like.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 25, 2010 at 3:17 PM

I like it too, Craig. The smaller image doesn't do it justice. Great color and detail in the larger image. Beautiful capture of the face and eye. Nice habitat.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 25, 2010 at 3:18 PM

Craig,
I like this habitat shot. Very nice pose and eye contact.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 25, 2010 at 3:58 PM

I like the typical pose and habitat. Good eye contact too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 25, 2010 at 4:25 PM

Craig, this is a great perspective that really draws me in. Iike the habitat too. Just a bit bright on the small area of the neck on the left.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on January 25, 2010 at 7:21 PM

Like the light and the way the heron is peering through the foilage.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 25, 2010 at 7:26 PM

Great pose and light! Very nice Craig!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 25, 2010 at 7:58 PM

Craig,

I also like this image for the "grass & reed" type of habit it includes, especially because of this species. I love the pose and the lovely details throughout the image.

Nice work in challenging light.

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

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 25, 2010 at 8:26 PM

I really like the pose you captured Craig. The yellow on the throat looks pretty hot on my monitor.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on January 25, 2010 at 8:48 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. A few comments on the lighting and visual hotspot of the white feathered area of the right cheek. I had toned this area down and then applied a grey mask to further diminish this hot area. It currently measures about 220 and I left it as is, being the light highlight of the image.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 25, 2010 at 10:40 PM

The habitat makes the shot; nice work. I see your note on the bright spots, but right white throat stripe is hot on my calibrated monitor; a minor nit on a fine shot.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 26, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Excellent habitat shot with beautiful light

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on January 26, 2010 at 5:36 PM

I agree with the comments on the "hot areas" on the right cheek feathers and below on that sunny side. I toned down those areas even more and submit this version.

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