Green Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted May 9, 2010145 views16 comments

Green Heron (Butorides virescens)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: April 20, 2010
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, ISO 400, 1/250th, f/8
Raw, PS CS3 on G4 Mac, minor crop for balance

Although I'd prefer the small vines didn't cross the beak of this heron I wouldn't consider cloning them out of the image – they are part of the scene that I encountered and I couldn't find a different viewing position that avoided them.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. I hope you will view the larger imager for maximum impact.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 9, 2010 at 9:55 PM

Another one of your classic habitat photos. It's a shame about the vines but that's minor on a great shot like this.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on May 9, 2010 at 10:04 PM

The vines don't bother me and I prefer a real scene as you've captured here as opposed to changing it to something that wasn't there. Great feather detail here with a good habitat shot also.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 9, 2010 at 10:14 PM

Wonderful detail in the heron along with very natural looking colors. The vines aren't too bad... Nice capture. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 9, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Detail is superb, Richard.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 9, 2010 at 10:54 PM

great colors and details, Rich. those tamarisk wisps are definitely not ideal, but it's a shot I'd be glad to have.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on May 10, 2010 at 4:58 AM

Beautiful pose, superb detail, Richard. The vines are there...
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on May 10, 2010 at 7:45 AM

Really nice detail and color in the heron. I have to admit that the twigs bug the hell out me, but that's my own hangup.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 10, 2010 at 9:58 AM

Great as usual Rich. Love the setting and the bird. One of my favorite species, even if they won't cooperate with me photographically.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 10, 2010 at 2:35 PM

I like the unusual setting of the pine or juniper tree here and the really nice eye contact. The vines don't bother me much.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 10, 2010 at 7:42 PM

The superb detail and sharpness of the heron more than make up for those somewhat unfortunate vines Rich.

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

Comment posted by Mike Danzenbaker on May 10, 2010 at 9:32 PM

Rich,

I applaud your ethics re: not trying to remove the vines.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 40 Posts, 791 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 10, 2010 at 10:42 PM

Like that intense stare and the surrounding environment. You are right, the vines are part of the birds environment.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 11, 2010 at 12:24 PM

Brilliant, Richard. An intimate shot in habitat. I wouldn't change a thing.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 11, 2010 at 7:51 PM

Rich,

I love the feather detail on the chest and the twigs going through him for some reason don't bother me. I really like the natural habitat he's in. Everythings is sharp that needs to be. Well done. Dave

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 11, 2010 at 8:50 PM

Rich,

I love the setting, the pose of the heron, eye contact and the beautiful natural colors. The vine crossing the bill isn’t a real issue for me though like you I would prefer that it was not there. I like the setting, colors and the waythe heron appears to have some thing in its sight that has its interest.

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

Comment posted by Laura Stafford on June 19, 2010 at 3:17 PM

Very nice habitat shot of thie beautiful bird. The iris of the bird's eye is tack sharp, and the colors are very vibrant.

Laura Stafford

Registered on November 3, 2009, 52 Posts, 375 Comments