My Buddy,. \"Big Blue\" A very accomadating Heron

[CyberDyneSystems]

More and more I am finding that the birds I photograph are creatures of habit.

A truer example I can not imagine than this particular Great Blue Heron.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214026&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

As I learn it's routine I am better and better prepared to get the shots I want. Although I can take photos of it's roost,. it is not untill near dark that I am able to really take advantage of Big Blue's habits.

First there is a few minutes of stretching,. then some preening of feathers,. of course the "lightening of the load" and within seconds ,. take off!

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214035&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

At this point the mainland shore is the feeding grounds,. and I can get my shots!

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214032&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214033&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1


There seems to be another benificial side effect as well. It seems that with time,. "Big Blue" is also getting used to me. This week he let me get within about 10 feet while behind my camera and tripod! I came upon him quite suddenly,. and with a start he prepared to launch into the air and sound the alarm,

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214029&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

He stiffened,. spread his wings a bit,. then looked me straight in the eye,. he froze for a moment,. and then totally relaxed.

I swear the body language said quite clearly,.

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214030&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

"oh,.. it's only you,... "
...and he went back to looking for fish.

Wow!!! With an critter this cooperative,. I can get portraits like this,

http://images.fotopic.net/?id=1214025&outx=980&oq=0&noresize=1&nostamp=1

...without cropping!

[Conk]

Fantastic photos CDS. I see these guys quite a bit but either I just don't have my camera at the time, I'm working or I just don't take the time.

[rockyc2]

Great shots, CDS. Now I gotta get hot and see about gettin shots of the herons that come around here.:)
Rocky

[marie]

wow
what a lot of action shots.
you must be thrilled cds

the terrific second shot shows a beautiful bird in flight
and the third
and the forth is very funny.
look at those funny legs hanging like it :)

I never saw a pattern like shows on that herons neck in the second last picture.
he looks stitched up :D
lucky he turned so as we could see this stitching better

the last shot looks like he is starting to miss you


many thanks for the great and interesting heron showdown.
seems they have a system all their own :D

:)

still
no egrets :D
marie

[g2Owner_1]

anmazing stuff,
what gear did you use ? also where did you shoot them ?
thanks for sharing your tips on photographing birds

[pappy]

EXCEPTIONAL!! Very well done CDS, great photos.

regards,
peter

[JoseC]

I really like a lot this heron story and of course all the pictures.
Super job !
Jose C.

[Hatem Eldoronki]

CDS, I'm dying to get shots like these! Very nice indeed. The other day, I wasted 2 hours trying to shoot a Red Tail Hawk that resides close to where I work, and out of about 30 shots, only one was in focus!
Great pix..

[CyberDyneSystems]

Thank you all for your kind comments :)

g2Owner_1 wrote:
...what gear did you use ? also where did you shoot them ?...


I use a 10D. All of these images were taken with either the 50-500mm Sigma EX (most of them) or some of the portraits were the Sigma EX 70-200mm f/2.8.

Untill this recent aquaintance was developed, I would allways shoot at 500mm,. as I was never close enough. But the full body shot where Big Blue is facing me,. I was within 10 feet and was using the the 70-200mm and I was zoom iut,. to aboout 100mm!! I have a number of images now taken at under 200mm! Which is really amazing,. and helpfull to be able to use that large aperture. I can only get this guy in the late hours of the evening.

[KevinG3]

Awsome pictures of a beautiful bird CDS. I wish I had birds as cooperative. Mine like to stand there perfectly still until I get all set up and then, Whoosh, Fly away. Oh well...I'll keep trying I suppose.

Very nice shots. Kinda makes me want a 10D too.

[BCdives]

Don't you just love those guys, not only are they beautiful, they are very smart birds too btw.

Great snaps!

BC

[scottbergerphoto]

Beautiful shots and nice use of shallow dof in first and last two shots. Nice narrative to go with it. Well done!
Scott

[Laziferous]

Good stuff man. Love the story to go along, it gives the pictures more meaning.

I've pretty much given up on shooting wild birds until I get a 10D. In my opinion, the LX8 lens is kind of crappy... too bad I didn't know that before I bought it. Heh, oh well.

Keep 'em coming man.