All Wrapped Up

Gallery: AvianPosted March 6, 2012312 views18 comments

Finally some clear skies today. I wanted to take advantage of the nice light and low tide so I waded out to the little blue herons but couldn't get close enough when someone came out with there dogs and POOF all the birds gone.(Don't you just love when they do that???) So I headed back out wader boots sticking in the muck and out of nowhere came this great blue right in front of me. He was so close and i was hesitant about removing the 2x in the water so I shot some portraits. He caught this needlefish seconds later and I got the shot. I feel it could use more space but it is full frame and I'm not gonna mess with it. Keeps attention on the catch.I am starting to get more comfortable with manual exposure as well
Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Manual Exposure
1/1250
9.0
Evaluative Metering
ISO Speed 400
Lens EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 6, 2012 at 10:24 AM

Cool shot. I like how the needle fish is wrapped around the herons bill. It could probably use a little more room on the right but it looks nice as is.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on March 6, 2012 at 12:16 PM

That's a cool shot Cheryl. I had a similar experience at Ding Darling recently where I was too close for a 300 w/ 2X but did not want to try taking it off in the muddy water and ended up a little cramped. I like it this way though.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 6, 2012 at 2:11 PM

Perfect exposure, excellent feather detail and a great catch - for both of you!
Cool portrait -

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 6, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Good job in reacting to the opportunity, not very often you get a chance at a full frame heron shot, I like how the needle fish is wrapped around the beak, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on March 6, 2012 at 3:41 PM

I like the composition. You did great framing this one through the viewfinder. And it sure looks like you are getting a great handle on the manual Exposure. Good job despite the dogs.

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

Comment posted by Claus Johansson on March 6, 2012 at 4:14 PM

I think you have succeeded your goal for the trip very well

It's not often you can get so close to a heron (unless it is in a park) and so even with a nice bonus snack.

Registered on March 28, 2010, 18 Posts, 48 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 6, 2012 at 4:31 PM

I like this as posted. These are such large birds that head shots work well with them, and I think the needlefish really makes this image.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 6, 2012 at 5:34 PM

I think the crop works really well Cheryl - really concentrates your attention on the needlefish

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 6, 2012 at 8:58 PM

Thanks everybody

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 7, 2012 at 1:34 AM

Cheryl,
Love the head shot. The bird and the fish are the story, and the close up image makes it more impacting. I love the beak detail on the large image.

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on March 7, 2012 at 7:16 AM

Great title and image Cheryl.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on March 7, 2012 at 8:40 AM

Another wonderful catch Cheryl, really nice work.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 7, 2012 at 7:17 PM

I think this shows everything that is needed, might be a little tight but doesn't bother me. Really great to see that needefish wrapped around the bill, detail is amazing considering you were using a 2x.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 7, 2012 at 9:19 PM

I think this comp works very well, especially given that it's full frame--you just got the bill and the head plumes in there--nicely done. the prey wrapped around the bill and super detail are also really cool.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 7, 2012 at 9:40 PM

Looks great as is. Glad you didn't try and move. Wonderful detail and the coiled needle fish is just the bomb.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 8, 2012 at 10:54 AM

Very cool shot Cheryl, the needle fish makes it GREAT!

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 9, 2012 at 12:45 AM

A very cool closeup with the pipefish Cheryl

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on March 9, 2012 at 2:14 PM

Hello Cheryl

A Beauty.... Clear, Sharp & interesting interaction. Never seen a needle before.

TFS

Bill

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