Great Blue Heron views: A good sunny day to capture these large birds in different views. Hand held @ 800mm. The distance was about 140-160 feet for all three photos. Photo #1: Canon...

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

A good sunny day to capture these large birds in different views.

Hand held @ 800mm. The distance was about 140-160 feet for all three photos.

Photo #1: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #2: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/1000 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #3: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.

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Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Regis wrote:

A good sunny day to capture these large birds in different views.

Hand held @ 800mm. The distance was about 140-160 feet for all three photos.

Photo #1: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #2: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/1000 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #3: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.

The minute I saw who posted the Great Blue Heron views, I knew I'd see some spectacular views. I was right. No. 3 is awesome. Thanks for sharing these, Regis.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Annie-Get-Your-Gun wrote:

The minute I saw who posted the Great Blue Heron v... (show quote)

Thank you very much, Annie-Get-Your-Gun, for your great reply.

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Regis wrote:

A good sunny day to capture these large birds in different views.

Hand held @ 800mm. The distance was about 140-160 feet for all three photos.

Photo #1: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #2: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/1000 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.
Photo #3: Canon 5Dsr - Canon 400 II DO f4 - Canon 2.0x III - 1/800 - f/14 - ISO @ 1000.

Love the last one, his giving the branches to her for the nest.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

photophile wrote:

Love the last one, his giving the branches to her for the nest.

I thank you, Karin, for your good comment.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

I like them all, Regis. The handoff in the last image is really nice.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

#3 is marvelous. What a special image!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Lovely set Regis. I particularly like the first. They are so funny looking coming in for a landing (I think).

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

..as always ...GREAT!!!!

Lame-Duck Loc: Fresno, California

Regis...those are superb images. Very nicely done. I am considering getting the Canon 400 II DO f4. Based on your success (excellent images), I'm about ready to make the plunge. I need to sell my old 500 mm Canon before I lay the cash down.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Lame-Duck wrote:

Regis...those are superb images. Very nicely done. I am considering getting the Canon 400 II DO f4. Based on your success (excellent images), I'm about ready to make the plunge. I need to sell my old 500 mm Canon before I lay the cash down.

The newer 500mm f4 II is a sharp lens, but much heavier and longer than my 400 II DO f4. So, because my lens is hand-holdable, I use it all the time.
I am assuming you don't have this newer version of the 500mm Canon.

Anyhow, I thank you for your good comment, Lame-Duck.

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Lame-Duck Loc: Fresno, California

Regis wrote:

The newer 500mm f4 II is a sharp lens, but much heavier and longer than my 400 II DO f4. So, because my lens is hand-holdable, I use it all the time.
I am assuming you don't have this newer version of the 500mm Canon.

Anyhow, I thank you for your good comment, Lame-Duck.

Your reasons are exactly why I'm considering the 400 II DO f4. You are correct, I do have the older version of the Canon 500. I may have a deal going where I can trade it in on the purchase of a 400 II DO f4. I've actually tried to sell it for quite a while without any luck. The big heavy lenses are much harder for me to lug around today, than they were 10 years ago.

That hand grip on your lens looks like a very handy feature, by the way.

Regis Loc: Coeur d' Alene, Idaho

Lame-Duck wrote:

Your reasons are exactly why I'm considering the 400 II DO f4. You are correct, I do have the older version of the Canon 500. I may have a deal going where I can trade it in on the purchase of a 400 II DO f4. I've actually tried to sell it for quite a while without any luck. The big heavy lenses are much harder for me to lug around today, than they were 10 years ago.

If I can handle the Canon II DO f4 lens at 73, then most photographers will enjoy this great lens. They are coming out with a 600mm DO lens in less than a year, but it will be very expensive. About $14,000 to $17,000. I don't have the weight or specifics, but it should be about the same size as the 400 DO. I saw a picture of a mock-up of this 600mm DO. Stay tuned.

Lame-Duck Loc: Fresno, California

Regis wrote:

If I can handle the Canon II DO f4 lens at 73, then most photographers will enjoy this great lens. They are coming out with a 600mm DO lens in less than a year, but it will be very expensive. About $14,000 to $17,000. I don't have the weight or specifics, but it should be about the same size as the 400 DO. I saw a picture of a mock-up of this 600mm DO. Stay tuned.

I will definitely stay tuned, but that kind of price is a bit more than I'm willing to pay. I hope to soon be using the 400 DO with a 1.4 t TC on a Canon 7D mk II. That gives me about all the magnification I need. I hand hold most of the time anyway.

sleepydrdr Loc: Chattanooga, TN

Excellent series, love #3! Your photos are always top notch.