Lava Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted August 26, 2014111 views10 comments

A shot from our Galapagos tour last year and a species that I haven't seen posted here before. This was taken on Santa Cruz Island on a pier, so I took a portrait as the surroundings weren't great. The Lava Heron is a Galapagos endemic. I liked all the various shades of blue and gray.

Nikon D7000, Sigma 150-500 at 450mm, 1/200 F8, iso 800, handheld

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on August 26, 2014 at 3:26 PM

Sweet shot, Nate. I like how the BG suits the cool blue of the bird. Obviously kin to the night herons in my neck of the woods.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 26, 2014 at 3:31 PM

Thanks Bill, these guys are actually closely related to our little Green Herons (in the same genus).

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 26, 2014 at 7:14 PM

Excellent detail Nate, love the background color with the color of the heron. It all compliments the bright orange eye. Nice work!

Ray

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 26, 2014 at 7:49 PM

Nate, I haven't seen this species ever posted here either. I really like the monochrome feel of this and then all the sudden you have this fiery eye. Very cool portrait.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on August 26, 2014 at 9:03 PM

I like the detail and the subdued background. I enjoyed the fact that the portrait is not crowded, so easy to do with something like this.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on August 26, 2014 at 9:37 PM

Wonderful portrait Nate. I like the comp, and the background works well in showcasing the bird. The eye is killer.

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

Comment posted by David Salem on August 27, 2014 at 11:22 AM

What a great looking Heron. Love the colors. TFS

Registered on June 25, 2014, 6 Posts, 67 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 27, 2014 at 11:46 AM

Wonderful subdued palette, Nate. It really makes that gorgeous eye pop.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on August 27, 2014 at 12:23 PM

Great species and the portrait works well ! Nice grey tones throughout the image and tech are spot on ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 30, 2014 at 6:11 AM

Ditto the shades of grey Nate and the way the yellow eye stands out

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