Tri-color Heron + Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted August 12, 2012262 views16 comments

Another shot from the Kayak captured this morning on Horsepen Bayou near Houston. I am truely enjoying this style of photography. I am locked into a low POV, the birds are very accepting of my approach and I am out there by myself. This shot was taken from a distance of about 25 feet and as you can see, the bird was not bothered by my presecnce at all, I photgraphed this heron for about 15 minutes and he was still feeding when I left.

Several people asked how I protect my equipment while kayaking - I paddle to and from shooting locations with my gear stored in a dry bag. When shooting, I am exposed, but I feel comfortable as my kayak is very stable and I move slowly and precisly. It is a risk, but a calculated one and one I am willing to take to give me an opportunity to get great shots - time will tell if that actually happens.

Canon 1DX, 300mm, 1/3200, f5.6, ISO 1000
Manual exp, spot metered, hand held from kayak, 75% of full frame

Comments and critiques welcomed and appreciated.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on August 12, 2012 at 10:35 PM

Cool shot Randy. The splash is great, as is the reflection. Wish there was a little more room at the top of the frame.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Stogner on August 12, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Randy, I really like the shot, and i would most likely posted it as you have as well. I was just wondering, did you, or were you able to crop the image with out the reflection just for a different look? Great shot none the less. Eric.

Registered on January 19, 2011, 18 Posts, 40 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on August 12, 2012 at 11:06 PM

Randy,
This is a very nice capture and a unique pose for the Heron. The water spash and reflection are outstanding.

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 13, 2012 at 7:18 AM

Super action and image quality. I think the top 2/3 of image sans reflection might work well too (with a bit extra at top if available.)

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 13, 2012 at 7:59 AM

Great action and sharpness Randy - maybe some more at the top if you have any???

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 13, 2012 at 9:45 AM

Really like the action in this one Randy. I also love the reflection. You say this is 75% of FF....so do you have more rom at the top and the bottom to also show the entire reflection? If so, i think both would make this even better than what it already is. Great work!
On a different note...I see you are only the second person I know to get your hands on the 1DX. How do you like it so far? I was thinking about upgrading from my MIV and was wondering if the extra cost was worth the upgrade or not?

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on August 13, 2012 at 1:11 PM

Hello Randy

SWEET Image ! Congrats. As mentioned by others If you have room to add some at Top & maybe a little in Bottom to get More of the Reflection, then Crop for best !.
I enjoy my Kayak Photography, & have experienced Similar with Birds & animals being Way More Tolerant . By adding a Kayak Skirt of design to your Kayak may assist in keeping Stuff Drier. Paddling splashes & Drips from paddle are annoying, but Small amounts of Fresh Water will Not affect your Well Sealed Camera & Lens. I prefer to have my gear that I am using Ready to capture that Unexpected moment. By using a Neck Strap well adjusted, the Camera will rest in your chest area ( A Sweet Spot) for easy access , A loose fitting Top cover laying on top, will protect from Splashing too.

Thanks for sharing.

Bill

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 13, 2012 at 4:45 PM

Wonderful action with good detail and sharpness. I too would like to see more room at the top even if you had to give up some of the reflection. The heron pose on the branch with the water splash is what really draws me into the image, nice job in getting this shot, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on August 13, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Indeed this way of working gives you great shots ! I like it enormously

, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 13, 2012 at 6:25 PM

Beautiful action, Randy. I like the image a lot, but the tightness ant the top and the partial reflection on the bottom don't feel like the best presentation to me. I think I'd crop off the bottom to remove the reflection of the bird and maybe try to add canvas to the top. If you removed the vertical branch sticking up from the perch and cropped the bottom to get rid of it's reflection, you could probably add canvas without too much difficulty.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on August 13, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Randy,
Love that kayak perspective. There is no substitute for a low angle and I agree with you, it's worth the risk, particularly if you have insurance on your gear. Beautiful light and a really nice perch.

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

Comment posted by Greg Oakley on August 13, 2012 at 8:50 PM

Wow, this is a fantastic capture - well done. Agree with the crop - could be more room at the top,
Cheers, Greg
gregoakleywildpix.com

Registered on June 12, 2012, 115 Posts, 266 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on August 13, 2012 at 9:30 PM

Thanks for all the great feedback on this image. I recognized when I posted it that it was tight on top - the original was full frame from top to bottom so I didn't have any room. After many good critiques calling for room on the top and concerned about the partial reflection, I took the image into PS and added canvas on top - thank goodness for content aware fill! Please let me know what you think about this comp and the added canvas.

Kurt, to your question about the 1DX, I love it - much improved AF, incredible new low light performance, image quality is fabulous, and 12 FPS is pretty sweet. I have no regrets so far.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 13, 2012 at 11:34 PM

Great shot Randy! Well done. I also would like to see it with the reflection cropped out. IMHO the partial reflection distracts from the heron, and you have captured the water splash so well the image does not need the reflection. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 14, 2012 at 4:54 AM

I liked the first version OK. You expertly captured just the right moment, but I agree it was tight on top and I wasn't sure if the reflection added much to the image. Your newer version is much better in my opinion. A Very pleasing composition to view that incredible action you captured. NIce Work Randy!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Verdon on August 15, 2012 at 5:41 PM

WOW, right moment and right spot and time, the splash is awesome, love both versions!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments