Flight of the Goliath

Gallery: AvianPosted July 18, 2011158 views12 comments

The Goliath Heron is Southern Africa's largest species of heron/egret. It is a beautiful bird but quite rare to photograph half-decently. I got lucky recently at a local bird sanctuary as I noticed this guy flying from reed patch to reed patch in a pattern for his morning fishing.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 300mm f2.8 L IS USM + 1.4x TC (420mm)
f5.6 @ 1/2000 SS @ ISO-800
Exp +2/3

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 18, 2011 at 5:13 PM

Excellent, Morkel. The dof is perfect-difficult for such a large species.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 18, 2011 at 6:29 PM

Morkel, I really like the take-off posture and the sharpness of the entire bird is excellent. I like the light on the background reeds too.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 18, 2011 at 7:05 PM

The reeds in this image are a perfect match to the wing linings. Very sharp. I like the light.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on July 18, 2011 at 7:35 PM

I love the larger version view, wonderful action shot with excellent detail and habitat. VERY WELL DONE!

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on July 18, 2011 at 9:57 PM

Morkel, you have really captured the beauty and grandeur of this heron. Very stunning image.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 18, 2011 at 10:56 PM

Wonderful flight shot Morkel, the lighting is glorious and the detail and comp are spot on. Great species too!

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 19, 2011 at 1:55 AM

Stupendous light, truly amazing. Amazing depth of field for just 5.6.

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on July 19, 2011 at 1:12 PM

Thanks a lot for the kind feedback! Glad you enjoyed it...

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on July 19, 2011 at 2:23 PM

Great photo! I really like the way you captured this action!! The heron looks great, sharp, good detail, fine color. I have only seen one of these birds alive and that was at the Omaha Zoo many years ago and thought then it was a great bird and your photo only reinforces my thought. Thanks very much for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on July 19, 2011 at 4:04 PM

Very nice shot Morkel. Great early morning light under the wings, well exposed (as expected) and nice composition. I like it.

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 19, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Wonderful timing to get this, I like the wing spread and brown and gray combination colors on the heron plus the pose is leading into water, excellent shot, well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 20, 2011 at 3:40 AM

Great setting and detail Morkel

cheers
Rob

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