Great Blue Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted September 29, 2013122 views7 comments

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Place: Riparian Institute (aka Gilbert Water Ranch), Gilbert, AZ
Date: May 2, 2013, 7:24 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-S, TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: aperture priority matrix meter, ISO 800, 1/2500th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 70% of frame
Not baited. Not set up.

A common and easy subject. I was attracted by the pose.

A low vantage point helped me deal with an ugly foreground, but I’d still prefer a little more room at the bottom and no stone on the bottom edge. I also could have reduced the ISO and dropped the shutter speed.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible, please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 29, 2013 at 1:03 PM

I like the pose you caught this GBH in. Nice detail in the feathers. I have not found the GBHs in this area very willing to pose. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on September 30, 2013 at 11:58 AM

I like his goofy pose. I agree with you, that it would have been nice to have had more room at the bottom. Maybe a framing with the same beige as the water would make this "appear" to open up at the bottom.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 30, 2013 at 12:27 PM

Rich, I see why you're attracted to the pose, interesting stance. You could easily clone that stone. Agree that more room at bottom would be better, but you got a good head turn for the strong sidelight.

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on October 1, 2013 at 4:31 AM

I like it Richard.
The pose is refreshingly different, the light is super and gives great colours to the heron.
The background works well.
A little more space at the bottom would be good. You mention that you don't like the stone at the bottom and it would be easy to clone out but I'm assuming you prefer to keep the scene 'as it was'.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on October 4, 2013 at 11:34 AM

I like the pose and the light and the BG. The stone is a slight distraction but I wouldn't clone it out.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 6, 2013 at 8:00 AM

Like the wide-legged stance Rich

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 2, 2013 at 7:48 AM

I agree, the wide stance pose is quite becoming & I like this light Rich.
As for the settings, I assume you were going for some action?
All in all, a fine image.

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