A few Heron pics

Well it's raining here so I though I'd post some pics and do some printing
After work monday it was cloudy and not much light left, but I thought it made for some interesting fall reflections:

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Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

One from wed. in the rain:

Click on the image to view it in a larger size

[Jimbo]

Too many good ones to choose but #3 is awesome! Borno.. which lens were you using and how far were yuou from the Herons? Very beautiful images. JIMBO

[borno]

Thanks Jimbo,
I was using my DA300 f4 and I've been frequenting this spot for so long that I think a couple of the birds know that I'm O.K. ,I'm just there to stare at them for a couple of hours I usually have to use a 500mm or the 1.7tc with the 300mm if they are skittish.

[Marc Langille]

Tom, that's great action in #1 and #2 - well done! I enjoyed the series.

So.... do they stare back??

Regards,
Marc

[Jimbo]

Thanks Jimbo,
I was using my DA300 f4 and I've been frequenting this spot for so long that I think a couple of the birds know that I'm O.K. ,I'm just there to stare at them for a couple of hours I usually have to use a 500mm or the 1.7tc with the 300mm if they are skittish

Thank for the information Tom... That 300 may be worth a look at in 2009! all the shoots I have seen have been beautiful. I hae these birds in my area and you are right they are very skittish. Had one in a high tree in my back yard but just missed the shot! Great work! JIMBO

[slowpez]

The fourth shot makes me smile. He looks like he either ate a bad fish or he has something uncomplementary to say about your taking his picture. You even managed to get his entire reflection included.
Nice series.

[Peter Zack]

Borno, You are really nailing these shots. I can see a steady improvment from the first ones. You and Marc are getting some great results. I need to get out in the woods more often..

I was expecting the 3rd shot to show a large lump in the neck from that large fish in the second shot. All are excellent but I love the 2nd from last with the 2 Egrets.

[borno]

Originally Posted by Marc Langille

Tom, that's great action in #1 and #2 - well done! I enjoyed the series.

So.... do they stare back??

Regards,
Marc

Thanks Marc
I had one come at me in an aggressive way once, I think he saw his reflection in a 500mm lens

[borno]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Thank for the information Tom... That 300 may be worth a look at in 2009! all the shoots I have seen have been beautiful. I hae these birds in my area and you are right they are very skittish. Had one in a high tree in my back yard but just missed the shot! Great work! JIMBO

Thanks Jimbo,
I really like my DA300mm, and because it will focus really close too, it would have been nice to have a focus limiter on it. But I'm not complaining

[borno]

Originally Posted by slowpez

The fourth shot makes me smile. He looks like he either ate a bad fish or he has something uncomplementary to say about your taking his picture. You even managed to get his entire reflection included.
Nice series.

Thank you Susan,
I think he wants me to leave

[borno]

Originally Posted by Peter Zack

Borno, You are really nailing these shots. I can see a steady improvment from the first ones. You and Marc are getting some great results. I need to get out in the woods more often..

I was expecting the 3rd shot to show a large lump in the neck from that large fish in the second shot. All are excellent but I love the 2nd from last with the 2 Egrets.

Thanks Peter,
I get a lot more keepers than I used to as I am trying to concentrate more on the settings and focus when there is some action as my brain tends to ignore the technical when I'm trying to catch some action or compose a shot.

Too bad he took the catfish to another spot to eat it behind some reeds. They like to tenderize them before they swallow because of the barbed fins

[Atindra]

great series with superb shots but last one is my favorite for acrobatics and moment of capture.

Atindra

[borno]

Originally Posted by Atindra

great series with superb shots but last one is my favorite for acrobatics and moment of capture.

Atindra

Thanks Atindra,
They really fill up the frame when they open up those wings. It can take a really long time waiting for take off and then they are gone in a second. I don't try to scare them into flying just to try to get a shot, I just want to be unobtrusive and try to earn their trust a little

[daacon]

Great shots - they are all good but I love the last one.

[borno]

Thanks Dave,
You probably can't tell, but there is rain coming down at an angle in the big version. He flew kind of towards me at an angle and took me by suprise so needless to say, I booted the rest of them