Shots of the day

gluwater

Went to the woods today after work (Yea! overtime!) and got a couple good and surprising shots. I was getting kinda pissed off though because on a couple of shots I was very careful to be quiet and not get too close and set up my tri-pod, and then what hapened? Some passerby would walk right up to the bird and scare it away, Argh! Oh well, it just gives me a good reason to go back tomarrow. Here ya go:

There was a plethora of activity today. I'll go in order of time shot.

First I saw my first green heron in the wild:


He didn't like his picture being taken though


How about getting this close to a Green heron Ben and Jeff?


Then I moved on and found an Egret doing some fishing:


There's a GBH in the left side of the tree here, it was far away but I like the composition a lot even though he's pretty small in it.

Moving along I spotted a deer on the other bank just before he moved off into the woods again.

Walking back to where I started I finally saw the local Night Heron fishing. I set up my tri-pod and got as close as I thought safe and shot away. There was some tall grass in front of me but i didn't have any better vantage points.

Then a lady thought it would be wise to walk right in front of me with her kids and scare away my precious NH. At least I got a bif from it, although I cut the wing tips off and the beak is lost in the white foam.

Well that's all I got from Illinois tonight, hope you enjoyed looking as much as I did taking them.

Nick

Harryb

Hi Nick,

Looks like you had a good time and got some good captures. Green herons are very shy birds and they are always hard to capture. They will take off as soon as they notice you. One of the reasons I have kept my 80-400VR lens is that it allows me to shoot handheld. There are many times where you don't have time to set up a tripod if you want to get the shot.

Good work and thanks for sharing your pics.

bfjr

Hey Nick
What a great looking place to shoot, you lucky you

As far as getting close, here's the secret. As Harry has pointed out (and I totally agree ) birds are evil creatures !! They know the difference between a looky loo (non photographer) and the real deal. You will notice the young man has no camera, get my point !!! :lol4. Can't tell how many times that's happened to Jeff and I :lol

gluwater

Thanks guys. Most of what I have learned so far about shooting birds came from you two.

Harry: I've been trying to take some shots handheld before I take out my tri-pod so I make sure I at least get a couple shots. The IS on the 70-200 really helps me with handholding. I know it doesn't really have the reach for birds but it's the longest I've got and I've been able to get pretty close soo far.

Ben: I was thinking GH was waiting for the kid to slip on the wet rocks, I couldn't believe his father was standing right there watching him and didn't stop him. But I am beginning to agree with you, the NH today was sitting in a tree with two fishermen directly beneath it, I got within 200ft and it took off. I agree, it's a beautiful place to shoot but it can be soo dirty some times, if you look at the shots with the GH and the kid you'll notice garbage in the water. It really pisses me off.

I got some more good shots today but am too tired to process now, I'll put them up tomarow. Night

Nick