You don't always get the shot you'd hoped for. . .
Apr 28, 2019 07:31:04 #
This is a series showing my efforts yesterday afternoon. I spotted a heron sitting on a dead tree across the lake from me. Flight pictures are my passion, and I set up my tripod and camera with what I thought was the pretty certain hope of getting some pictures of him taking off.
When I began this series it was cloudy, and about 45°f. A cold front was coming through bringing rain, and even the possibility of snow later in the day. . .
Here's a series of shots showing my efforts. . .
[I only uploaded these in a relatively low resolution, as they are more documentation than great wildlife shots]
When I began this series it was cloudy, and about 45°f. A cold front was coming through bringing rain, and even the possibility of snow later in the day. . .
Here's a series of shots showing my efforts. . .
[I only uploaded these in a relatively low resolution, as they are more documentation than great wildlife shots]
Here is the scene as I started watching him at 12:16
. . . This bird must have cleaned every feather on his body 2 or 3 times and scratched his head many dozens of times. . .
. . . a fisherman in a bass boat came by. . . surely that would scare him off. . .
But no. . . back to cleaning he went. . .
It's now 1 p.m. I've had my eye to the eyepiece for 45 minutes and the temperature is dropping and I'm getting cold. The heron begins this feather fluffing. I thought sure he was getting ready to take off. . .
Then he began a period of wing flapping. . .
Surely this meant he was ready to take off. . . but no, back to cleaning he went.
. . . then the bird has this glorious bowel movement. . .
. . . which went on and on. It was amazing. . . by this time I'm taking both hands off the camera and warming them. . . I'm wondering about hypothermia. . . surely he was lightening his load before taking to the air. . . .
It is 1:46 p.m. 90 minutes after I began. Still cleaning and scratching his head. Now it begins to rain, and I give up. . . chilled to the bone. I went into the house. 15 minutes later or so, he did depart, but I wasn't there to document it. . .
Apr 28, 2019 07:37:22 #
Apr 28, 2019 07:55:29 #
Apr 28, 2019 08:02:34 #
Oh, the trials of a wildlife photography. 
Still, you got some some great "day in the life " shots of that Great Blue Heron. 
Still, you got some some great "day in the life " shots of that Great Blue Heron. Apr 28, 2019 08:23:43 #
Mr. B wrote:
Oh, the trials of a wildlife photography. Still, you got some some great "day in the life " shots of that Great Blue Heron.
Still, you got some some great "day in the life " shots of that Great Blue Heron. Yes. I don't regret the time spent at all. Much of this behavior I've never seen before. To me observing the wildlife is primary, recording it and sharing it is secondary. It was funny. . . keeping my eye to the camera eyepiece all that time, expecting any second for the bird to burst into flight, and have him clean and clean and scratch his head endlessly it seemed like, was funny to me. And I am so lucky. These were taken from my front yard. This is a dream come true. I don't have to travel far to take wildlife shots, so I don't begrudge anything. . .
I appreciate all the comments and views.
Apr 28, 2019 08:31:05 #
Bigmike1
Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.
Some great shots but I think I would have given up long before you did.
Apr 28, 2019 08:35:28 #
I’ve attended several presentations by various National Geographic photographers who all spend weeks at a location to get the “perfect” shot. Paul Nicklen said that he’s lucky to get 1 out of 100,000 published. I admire your efforts - keep it going. 👍
Apr 28, 2019 08:45:26 #
tommy2
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Web_Walker wrote:
...from my front yard. This is a dream come true...
Absolute ten best words of the day! WOW!
Apr 28, 2019 08:51:18 #
Apr 28, 2019 08:52:43 #
Apr 28, 2019 08:58:27 #
Apr 28, 2019 09:04:49 #
We have a heron who hangs around a pond nearby. Almost always, as soon he senses people presence, gone! You took advantage of a rare (?) opportunity!
Apr 28, 2019 09:40:11 #
Web_Walker wrote:
This is a series showing my efforts yesterday afte... (show quote)
I am sorry for your frustrations, but you did make a valiant effort to capture that stubborn bird in flight, the weather was not good, you stuck it out more than I would have done. You did capture some nice photos of him or her cleaning themselves, before their departure to places unknown.
Apr 28, 2019 09:59:12 #
What an interesting story documented with pics... I applaud your patience to try for the shot you wanted; I think the " poop" shot is classic.
Apr 28, 2019 10:25:51 #
You are persistent Dave. I am sorry that your efforts weren't rewarded with the shot you wanted. There is always next time.
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