Just a light lunch

Gallery: AvianPosted September 3, 2012113 views7 comments

9-3-12 San Joaquin Wildlife Preserve, Irvine, CA
NikonD800 Nikkor 200-400mm lens 200mm
F/10 1/1000 ISO 400 White Balance Auto
RAW Manual

It was a disappointing day at the preserve. I arrived late and the sun was very bright. On the way out, I stopped at the waters edge at an adjacent pond and set up for a shot of a Brown Pelican that circled the pond and landed repeatedly while I was at the first pond. Alas, he took off, but did not return while I was there, but a school of fish was disturbing the water surface right in front of me. Soon, this Snow Egret landed and began to fish. He was so close that I could not fit him in the frame using the 200mm magnification. I cropped the shot further to make it a head shot.

Comments welcome

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 3, 2012 at 10:03 PM

Nice portrait with prey! You handled the harsh light pretty well. A bit more of a head turn would be nice. Also, I believe you have a Great Egret here, instead of a Snowy. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on September 4, 2012 at 6:16 AM

Very nice detailed portrait. I like the water BG. TFS.

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on September 4, 2012 at 9:11 AM

Sharon,
You are so right, it is a Great Egret. It and a Snowy were fishing in close proximity and I was not cognizant of their difference when I was snapping away.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 4, 2012 at 10:22 AM

nice job with the difficult light, Patrick. the prey is great, I like the comp and the water a lot too. more of a head turn would be nice but it still works very well as is.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on September 5, 2012 at 12:27 AM

Cool shot, Patrick. I like the Fish.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on September 5, 2012 at 9:17 AM

The light is a little harsh but still a great close up and nothing you could do about the light anyway (except maybe not be late)

Nice detail on the eye and head of the egret and the minnow as well.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on September 5, 2012 at 10:54 AM

I neglected to say that the idea to crop this shot in this manner was as a result of the wonderful shot Skip Harris posted. His approach was powerful and unique. Skip, thank you for allowing me to stand on your shoulders.

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