Black-crowned NH

Gallery: AvianPosted May 22, 2010177 views20 comments

We found this bird very soon after the sun came up over the mtns and it was quite patient with us. This pose is in the middle of a long, drawn out yawn. There's a mosquito or midge on the bird's wing that I chose to leave in the image.

7D, 1/2000, f/7.1 ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 5-15-10, cropped to 85% of original image, sharpened, no other processing, natural light

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 22, 2010 at 6:49 PM

It's all about the light... great image with wonderful detail Ron

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 22, 2010 at 6:50 PM

Very nice. Great light and pose.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 22, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Love the pose, and the light is super.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on May 22, 2010 at 7:36 PM

Great shot, Ron. I love the early light. The yawning pose is great, that is one impressive yawn. I like the mosquito. Beautiful capture.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 22, 2010 at 8:44 PM

Great pose!!
Your usual fine detail, colors, and habitat.
Nice website, incidentally, too!

Sandy r

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 22, 2010 at 8:52 PM

Sweet shot Ron. Iove the yawn. That eye is tough to ignore as well. Great exposure on this one. Blacks are nice, with good detail and the lighter areas well controled. Great habitat and BG to top it off. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on May 22, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Love the light and the yawn really adds something extra. Like the detail in the mouth as well.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 23, 2010 at 3:20 AM

Hi Ron. The tongue kind of grosses me out, (too much detail)

Initially there was something about the foreground reeds and hidden feet that didn't quite work for me. However, the more I study this photo I realize how well done it really is. The main focus is the head and that red eye. As all ready mentioned, beautiful lighting as well.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 23, 2010 at 8:29 AM

I agree, the natural light is really the strength of this image, Ron. I think it's great that you captured this unusual pose too and that you allowed the little mosquito "imperfection" to remain.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on May 23, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Nicely captured Ron, like the warm early light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on May 23, 2010 at 9:54 AM

Sweet image Ron - I love that light!

Joe

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 23, 2010 at 1:57 PM

Ron,

I love that gaping yawn, the gorgeous eye, the exposure, details, sharpness and your comp. It isn't often I see the slightly iridescent sheen on the back feathers of BCNH's in images, but you caught that very well here.

We sure had this heron in some excellent light, didn't we?

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 23, 2010 at 4:42 PM

Ron:
The light is wonderful. The most impressive yawn would allow this image to be used for a detailed description of the anatomy of the tongue of a BCNH. I agree with the positive comments made about detail and exposure.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on May 23, 2010 at 6:45 PM

Very nice Ron. The open beak puts it over the top for me.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 23, 2010 at 7:12 PM

Very cool, Ron. I love the yawning pose. Wonderful light.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on May 24, 2010 at 1:05 AM

Excellent catch Ron. Soft whites, perfect red eye with some catch light, good detail in the blacks and a couple of streamers to boot. Love the yawn and the background is perfect for this species. No nits from me on this one Ron. Well done!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 24, 2010 at 11:57 AM

Very interesting shot. How often do you see detail on the inside of bird's mouth? Good timing and the larger image was a pleasure to view, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 24, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Now that's a great yawn. Excellent capture.
May

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 14, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Love the warm colors, nice timing on that yaaaawwn :)
I see the midge, good call

Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on June 15, 2010 at 4:05 AM

Best detail i've seen in a bird's tongue.

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