Great Blues Herons (again)

I have a favorite spot near my home that I have had great success. The park is on the shore and many times there are various herons, ospreys, hawks and others. Today, it was a Great Blue Heron again. This one got very close to me, so close that I had to wait until he walked a little further away as he was withen the close focusing limits of my 100-400. I was sitting near the waters edge for these.

He walked by oh so close

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Again nice captures Keith.... I look forward to another trip next year...

These are what I call perfectly exposed shots keith bringing out good light, detail and colour. Getting so close to you he must think that you are a dear friend.

Nice shots, love the colors of the first.

Too close to focus? What a nice problem Keith

Wonderful pics, all 3. The first one is just amazing, the light is nice and it has perfect detail and focus. Well done!

Beautiful captures here Keith ..wonderful lighting and colors in the heron.

I think he was just a bit hungry to even care about me Anthony I was sitting on some steps at the water's edge and he just kept walking and looking for his food, didn't mind me at all..

dazzlebea wrote:
Too close to focus? What a nice problem Keith

Wonderful pics, all 3. The first one is just amazing, the light is nice and it has perfect detail and focus. Well done!

Really he just got so close, I could not believe it..as I was following with the camera, I put the camera down in my lap and just marveled at the colors on him, I could have literally reached over and touched him, This is as close as I ever got to a GBH...

Thanks Gary, Bill, and Eric also for you comments

You have some more great captures here, Keith. I'd love to have the problem of getting too close to any heron.

Really he just got so close, I could not beleive it..as I was following with the camera, I put the camera down in my lap and just marvel at the colors of him, I could have literally reached over and touched him, This is as close as I ever got to a GBH...

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Good idea, sometimes we get so wrapped up in getting that perfect shot that we forget to look at the subject while it's right in front of us. At least that happens to me . Then later, at the computer, I go "wow, pretty bird!". Kinda silly

Hi Keith,
I find these birds hard to shoot as they are so long and often don't look so nice in photos, you got him good and managed to complement him in #2 & #3.

I guess the sun was not on your side as the sky in # 2 & # 3 is washed out looking was the lighting not in your favour.
Regards,
Clare

Keith these are amazing, especially number one. The beak is a shot that you rarely get such a close view of. Well done mate.

Yes Clare, you are right about the light not being exactly what I was looking for. The sun had just started to hit the heron's face in photo two and you can see the brightness in the rocks to the left of the heron, he was shaded in #3, and the head shot was in the sun. It's was a bit tricky because I metered on the gray feathers of the bird and the added +2/3 to try and bring up a little more detail in the heron. The "sky" is actually water which was being relected by the sun's rays, I figured the sky would get blown out because of the shaded heron and it's darker color. If he had just showed up 10 minutes later, I would have had the full benefit of that nice early sun.

Thanks to all that have looked and commented!

Crsip and detailed, another excellent GBH series Keith. I'm wandering, maybe I should call you the GBH King, hehehe...

Wow, beautiful environmental portraits of the heron Keith. Always enjoy to see different feeding area.

Wow...fantastic shots. Love the light. Brilliant work as always Keith.