The one that got away

The one that got away · 09:08 PM

This one just ticked me off. I was down near my house shooting some scenics on the water and this egret flew right up from his/her hiding place. I didn't have time to focus, so I just pointed hoping I had it in focus but you can see it's not.

Next time I'll be more prepared.

**Ash** · 07-01-2009, 12:29 AM

Wildlife is out there to frustrate the photographer...
I take my hat off to those who do it for a living!
I wouldn't have the patience!

photolady95 · 07-01-2009, 01:06 AM

Well, had I been more aware, I'd have shot this bird. As it was, he was just to the right of me, in the shallow waters edge. I moved closer to the water and up he flew. As I was just setting up, I didn't have time to adjust settings, focus and shoot.

But I like shooting birds. I've got a new tripod head coming my way this week, so maybe or perhaps, later this week, I'll catch him.

**Ash** · 07-01-2009, 01:46 AM

All the best in that!
Look forward to seeing him up close and personal.

**Sailor** · 07-01-2009, 05:38 PM

I hear you and feel your pain. I don't know how many of these I've missed, but they vastly out number (I mean by orders of magnitude) the ones I've hit.

Jer

photolady95 · 07-01-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by Sailor

I hear you and feel your pain. I don't know how many of these I've missed, but they vastly out number (I mean by orders of magnitude) the ones I've hit.

Jer

Thanks Jer, I feel a bit better now I know I'm not the only one missed a good shot.

I've got a new tripod head in shipment to me, it will be here tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't miss any great number of these shots.

**Scottnorwo** · 07-01-2009, 07:59 PM

That is the story of my heron/egret shooting. If I even see one he flies away and of course is out of focus. Good hunting next time.

photolady95 · 07-02-2009, 04:33 AM

Thanks Scott for another "you're not alone, missed bird shots." I'm starting to feel a lot better.

Peter Zack · 07-02-2009, 04:55 AM

Oh don't I understand you on this one!!! I was out meeting a client yesterday and had only the lenses I'd use for a wedding with me. The longest being a 200mm f2.8 On the way to her house I spotted a small river with a ton of bird activity. So after the appointment, I go back (an hour from home where my 1000mm and 300mm +1,7 AF Tc were comfortably resting) and try to get some shots. There were Great blue Herons, Eagles, Osprey's, Red Winged Black birds, Finches and a few other birds in this marshy river area. If you saw this week's POTW, I got a couple of shots but I'll be back with the right gear.

Next time, I'll have the right lenses, camo clothing, a blind and rubber boots. Plus all day to ust sit and swat mosquitoes

photolady95 · 07-02-2009, 06:17 AM

See those bushes on the left? Well, there was some on the right also. To my right, and I was standing back about two feet from those bushes (Mangrove trees when they are full grown), I was adjusting my tripod, heard a noise, looked up and off he flew. There was not numereous birds there, there was only this one. And even if I had returned the next day there was no guarantee that this bird or his cousins would be wading in the water's edge. I've fished this exact spot for years. This is the first time I've seen an egret there.

It's quite easy to shoot birds when they are there in abundance, but when it's a chance meeting, it usually ends like mine did.

photolady95 · 07-02-2009, 07:13 PM

Just thought I'd tell you guys, I got my new tripod head today. Tomorrow, I'm headed back to the river and see what I can find this time.

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07-01-2009, 12:29 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Wildlife is out there to frustrate the photographer... I take my hat off to those who do it for a living! I wouldn't have the patience!

07-01-2009, 01:06 AM	#3
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Well, had I been more aware, I'd have shot this bird. As it was, he was just to the right of me, in the shallow waters edge. I moved closer to the water and up he flew. As I was just setting up, I didn't have time to adjust settings, focus and shoot. But I like shooting birds. I've got a new tripod head coming my way this week, so maybe or perhaps, later this week, I'll catch him.

07-01-2009, 01:46 AM	#4
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	All the best in that! Look forward to seeing him up close and personal.

07-01-2009, 05:38 PM	#5
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	I hear you and feel your pain. I don't know how many of these I've missed, but they vastly out number (I mean by orders of magnitude) the ones I've hit. Jer

07-01-2009, 06:09 PM	#6
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Originally posted by Sailor I hear you and feel your pain. I don't know how many of these I've missed, but they vastly out number (I mean by orders of magnitude) the ones I've hit. Jer Thanks Jer, I feel a bit better now I know I'm not the only one missed a good shot. I've got a new tripod head in shipment to me, it will be here tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't miss any great number of these shots.

07-01-2009, 07:59 PM	#7
Scottnorwo Millionth Poster! Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stafford, New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,086	That is the story of my heron/egret shooting. If I even see one he flies away and of course is out of focus. Good hunting next time.

07-02-2009, 04:33 AM	#8
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Thanks Scott for another "you're not alone, missed bird shots." I'm starting to feel a lot better.

07-02-2009, 04:55 AM	#9
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Oh don't I understand you on this one!!! I was out meeting a client yesterday and had only the lenses I'd use for a wedding with me. The longest being a 200mm f2.8 On the way to her house I spotted a small river with a ton of bird activity. So after the appointment, I go back (an hour from home where my 1000mm and 300mm +1,7 AF Tc were comfortably resting) and try to get some shots. There were Great blue Herons, Eagles, Osprey's, Red Winged Black birds, Finches and a few other birds in this marshy river area. If you saw this week's POTW, I got a couple of shots but I'll be back with the right gear. Next time, I'll have the right lenses, camo clothing, a blind and rubber boots. Plus all day to ust sit and swat mosquitoes

07-02-2009, 06:17 AM	#10
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	See those bushes on the left? Well, there was some on the right also. To my right, and I was standing back about two feet from those bushes (Mangrove trees when they are full grown), I was adjusting my tripod, heard a noise, looked up and off he flew. There was not numereous birds there, there was only this one. And even if I had returned the next day there was no guarantee that this bird or his cousins would be wading in the water's edge. I've fished this exact spot for years. This is the first time I've seen an egret there. It's quite easy to shoot birds when they are there in abundance, but when it's a chance meeting, it usually ends like mine did.

07-02-2009, 07:13 PM	#11
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Just thought I'd tell you guys, I got my new tripod head today. Tomorrow, I'm headed back to the river and see what I can find this time.