Hooptie Deux 2

Gallery: AvianPosted March 3, 2012194 views16 comments

Went out on James Shadle's boatthe Hooptie Deux last week and had a blast. Second day proved better weather and I was able to witness what I believe to be a mating ritual between these two Reddish Egrets. The front bird was circling the rear bird and almost bowing as if to say OK I'm yours master LOL. It was pretty cool. The boat took us out to Alafia in Tampa and if you look him up you can enjoy a great trip as well. Lots of fun... and I managed to stay on my feet this time in my waders.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Manual Exposure
1/1600
8.0
Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM +2.0x

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 3, 2012 at 8:44 AM

Wow, that is a great capture, great action, certainly nothing that I can see that could be improved upon. Your photo is the next best thing to actually being there and seeing it.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 3, 2012 at 10:28 AM

Hello Cheryl

Great interaction, sharp and detailed with interesting expression on the egrets.

Never seen a reddish yet, but hope to soon. I understand they are similar to an overactive hyper kid in their movements?

Thanks for sharing

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on March 3, 2012 at 1:09 PM

I have never seen these birds before. Thank you for posting this stunning image. It almost looks unreal. I like the behavior of the one in front. Your light was good and the composition works for me. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 3, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Excellent capture of this really neat behavior Cheryl. The LP shows nice detail and your comp works well. I saw Doug Gardner (Wild Photo Adventures) feature a segment on James Shadle's operation-must have been blast!

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on March 3, 2012 at 5:42 PM

Love the poses here. Looks like a dance off to me. :) Nice clean setting and the light doesn't seem to harsh yet. Nice job, Cheryl.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 3, 2012 at 6:20 PM

Awesome behavior dance with great detail in both birds, I like the flared head feathers of the bowing egret and the attentive look of it's upright mate. Excellent Capture Cheryl

Looks like the day was a lot of fun.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 3, 2012 at 6:25 PM

Very, very cool, Cheryl. Great work.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 3, 2012 at 9:59 PM

great action and DOF, Cheryl! any idea whether the different colors in facial skin are a clue to the sex of each bird? to pick nits, I might clone the bits of flying sand between the right bird's legs and below its tail.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 3, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Thanks for the feedback all of you. Hey Brian, not sure I always thought the brighter one to be the male but maybe not. I didn't even notice the sand... Great eye Thanks!

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 4, 2012 at 2:51 AM

Cheryl, Wonderful poses from these two - you were at the perfect angle. Great breeding colours and action.
Might need just a touch of CCW rotation to level the sand? Hard to tell..

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 4, 2012 at 4:17 AM

Look like it's playing aeroplanes Cheryl - great pose

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on March 4, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Wonderful colors and composition, it looks like a dance, lovely!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 4, 2012 at 6:17 PM

Great interaction. Wonderful capture.
May

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 4, 2012 at 11:40 PM

Fabulous interaction.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 5, 2012 at 5:32 PM

Interesting interaction, Cheryl.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 6, 2012 at 12:51 AM

Super capture of this unique behavior Cheryl, great depth of field and lighting too.

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