Green Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted December 27, 2011132 views7 comments

Taken 12/18/2011 at San Joaquin Wildlife Preserve, Irvine, CA
Overcast day
Nikon d-300 Nikon 200-400mm lens
f/9 1/1250 Aperture priority 0 step ISO800
400mm 29.9 m distance from the subject
cropped about 50%

Several Green Herons fish along the south side of this pond, but are very skittish when we walk along the path. This Heron flew to the rocks at the east end of the pond and allowed us to get relatively close. We had the opportunity to take all the photos we wished as he walked along the water edge and climbed the rocks.

Feedback welcome

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on December 27, 2011 at 10:15 PM

Seems familiar to me, Patrick. I like the composition with the Heron having enough room to look into and the exposure looks fine. Wish its head was turned a little more toward you. Good image.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on December 27, 2011 at 11:59 PM

Wish the head was turned more, but otherwise it looks great! Nice shot!
-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on December 28, 2011 at 8:14 AM

nice colour and texture
Agree about the head though
Happy new year and sucsesfull birding

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 28, 2011 at 10:28 AM

Yeah, the head turn... but still some nice detail on the bird. The first photo with a nice head turn wouldv'e been optimum.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 28, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Following is an iteration with better head angle. I'm not as pleased with the quality of this photo, though. I want to thank all of you for your comments. I appreciate the opportunity to learn from the best.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 28, 2011 at 7:05 PM

I quite like this rocky setting for the Heron. Colors look good. I agree with the others about a turn of the head toward you.

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on December 28, 2011 at 10:27 PM

I too wish for a better head turn in the original image, but I prefer it to the 2nd. In addition to the fine feather detail and nice color, I like how the heron's head is framed by the BG rock and how the top line of that rock mimics the shape of the bird. Nice image, thanks for sharing.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments