Green Heron Surprise
Nov 3, 2023 12:41:27 #
Two weeks ago I was treated to a visit by an immature Green Heron.
I spotted the bird on my neighbor’s porch around 75 yards away and prepared to capture some BIF shots if it came in my direction. It launched directly towards me from deep shadows (no BIF shots) and to my surprise, landed on my upper deck railing around 10 feet from where I was sitting.
Unable to get a shot with a 1200mm equivalent focal length zoom lens set at max zoom, I somehow managed to zoom out and rotate my camera without disturbing this gorgeous bird. The heron subsequently offered me great portrait shots, initially from my deck railing at 10-20 feet subject distance; then at around 15-18 feet subject distance when it hopped on my deck where it was backgrounded by a colorful ceramic planter; and finally at around 35 feet subject distance when it hopped down to my ugly rock backyard.
Green Herons are secretive by nature and although they occasionally land on my lower dock to fish offering me look down shots, I could not believe this one conveniently positioned itself for me for almost an hour on much more favorable backgrounds.
For story telling purposes, these images are in the sequence captured. I hope you enjoy viewing these shots as much as I did capturing in them.
Bubba
I spotted the bird on my neighbor’s porch around 75 yards away and prepared to capture some BIF shots if it came in my direction. It launched directly towards me from deep shadows (no BIF shots) and to my surprise, landed on my upper deck railing around 10 feet from where I was sitting.
Unable to get a shot with a 1200mm equivalent focal length zoom lens set at max zoom, I somehow managed to zoom out and rotate my camera without disturbing this gorgeous bird. The heron subsequently offered me great portrait shots, initially from my deck railing at 10-20 feet subject distance; then at around 15-18 feet subject distance when it hopped on my deck where it was backgrounded by a colorful ceramic planter; and finally at around 35 feet subject distance when it hopped down to my ugly rock backyard.
Green Herons are secretive by nature and although they occasionally land on my lower dock to fish offering me look down shots, I could not believe this one conveniently positioned itself for me for almost an hour on much more favorable backgrounds.
For story telling purposes, these images are in the sequence captured. I hope you enjoy viewing these shots as much as I did capturing in them.
Bubba
Nov 3, 2023 14:01:55 #
Nov 3, 2023 14:03:11 #
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Nov 3, 2023 14:09:36 #
Nov 3, 2023 14:55:18 #
Nov 3, 2023 16:13:51 #
What an awesome set. Sharp and well-composed. Green Herons are tough subjects as you probably know.
Nov 3, 2023 16:29:47 #
Your great reputation as a bird photographer is spreading to the heron community, Bubba!
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Nov 3, 2023 18:14:10 #
A great series! I've never had that kind of opportunity with a Green Heron!
Nov 3, 2023 19:56:10 #
Nov 3, 2023 19:56:56 #
Nov 3, 2023 19:57:14 #
Check out Video for DSLR and Point and Shoot Cameras section of our forum.
Nov 3, 2023 19:57:47 #
Nov 3, 2023 19:59:02 #
kpmac wrote:
What an awesome set. Sharp and well-composed. Green Herons are tough subjects as you probably know.
Thank you very much, Ken. Occasionally the stars align.
Bubba
Nov 3, 2023 20:01:31 #
UTMike wrote:
Your great reputation as a bird photographer is spreading to the heron community, Bubba!
Thanks, Mike. As I was shooting these, the thought kept going through my mind..."What is Mike going to think about these?" Maybe there is a bird network after all.
Bubba
Nov 3, 2023 20:04:08 #
Retired CPO wrote:
A great series! I've never had that kind of opportunity with a Green Heron!
Thanks, Chief. Nor had I until this occurrence.
Bubba
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