BITTER COLD BITTERN

Discussion

8 replies

Posted by Craig Strand on January 7, 2010 at 9:50 PM

Taken early this morning at Ridgefield NWR, I spotted this American Bittern out hunting for breakfast on a cold morning. I was able to slowly approach to within 25ft and shooting around a few cattail reeds get some up close and personal shots.
This is full size and other then curves little PS work was done, including NO sharpening as it already looked sharp out of the camera (7D is by far the best digital I've used.)

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L
F/8. @ 1/60 ISO 320
auto beanbag rest

Posted by David Cobb on January 8, 2010 at 12:42 AM

Just a beautiful close-up Craig, I'd love to have an image of this bird in my porfolio. Amazing the sharpness you got out of camera, I think a bit of sharpening will help the DOF around the beak area.

David M. Cobb

Posted by David Bostock on January 8, 2010 at 9:18 AM

Great close up shot, Craig. Love the detail and the focus point. That 600 with the 7D sure does make a nice combo for birds.

Posted by Marylynne Diggs on January 8, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Very nice. I'm picturing Ridgefield crawling with photogs with all of these great shots lately. I really love the hint of spring green in its beak.

Posted by Catherine Reilly on January 8, 2010 at 5:06 PM

Wow, great shot Craig with an awfully nice rig. Way to go.

Posted by wade pettitt on January 8, 2010 at 9:36 PM

Craig , I love this shot great colors and feel to it.

Posted by Joseph Campisi on January 10, 2010 at 4:52 PM

Great close up Craig. Maybe just a bit of sharpning...

Posted by John Williams on January 11, 2010 at 9:21 AM

Fantastic "portrait;" what a great tight shot. I wonder if this is the same bird David and Ryan photographed. If so, he's really putting on a show.

Posted by Ryan DesJardins on January 11, 2010 at 12:22 PM

Awesome close up and detail.