6 Egrets/Herons from the Baylands

[Hawkman]

Hi,

You might have already seen these posted in the FM forums. A few shots from a couple of weekends ago when I was fortunate enough to be out in CA near Palo Alto and shoot with Steve C. and Brian Z. (I'm from Chicagoland). I hope this isn't too many to download at once. Cheers - Gene



http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/42303957/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/42304115/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/42304818/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/42388204/original.jpg

http://ck37.image.pbase.com/image/42390084/original.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus/image/42351856/original.jpg

[pathfinder]

Hi,

You might have already seen these posted in the FM forums. A few shots from a couple of weekends ago when I was fortunate enough to be out in CA near Palo Alto and shoot with Steve C. and Brian Z. (I'm from Chicagoland). I hope this isn't too many to download at once. Cheers - Gene




Welcome to dgrin. I saw the thread where Steve said he met you out shooting at the Baylands. He was correct, your portfolio is excellent, as are these images also. I am looking eagerly forward to more of your images.

Perhaps you might make a few comments about how you captured these images - not fstops, but thinking of light direction and how to get close enough to the birds to capture these images. Again, welcome to dgrin.

[Kirwin]

I would hate to have to pick a "winner" from this series. Every image... absolutely stunning!

[Ann McRae]

Hello, and welcome

These are really fabulous! I have been following your work on dpreview, and am glad you've chosen to share some here.

Great stuff, please keep sharing!

ann

[Harryb]

Hi Gene,

Fantastic shots. :clap Each one is perfect. Welcome to Dgrin and I can't wait to see some more of your work.

[bfjr]

Wonderful crisp images :thumb

[Markjay]

#1 and #3 are my faves and, IMO your most effective shots. That first heron shot is a truly excellent, sharp, well composed image. Great job!! markjay

[Khaos]

:clap :clap Holy egrets Batman! Nice! I almost cut myself on how sharp these are. My favorite is the next to last one. Cool lighting and awesome bokeh.:thumb :thumb

[Andy]

hawkm,

really nice work, and :wave thank for joing dgrin!

[jwear]

what do I say ---WOW 3,5, and 6 are my picks but only cause i like the subject :thumb :clap :thumb JEFF :lynnma

[photoshow]

Truely stunning shots of some beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing

[Steve Cavigliano]

Gene,

These are all fine shots :thumb :thumb I'm kinda wondering where all these birds were. You must have gotten them shooting with Brian, cuz I sure didn't get any this nice :lol That 400 F5.6 sure is sharp :uhoh

As Pathfinder mentioned, it would be nice if you could put together a post outlining what you look for when shooting birds and birds in flight. We've got quite a few aspiring birders here and I'm sure they'd (we'd) appreciate any tips you care to share :clap I believe you've already noticed that this site isn't about gear as much as it's about the pitchas. Your input may help others take their shots up a notch :D No pressure though. If you don't have time, we'll understand.

Thanks for sharing and nice to see you back here again :thumb I'm also thinking that this month and next should be peak times, in your area, for shooting hawks and eagles :clap


Steve

[MuskyDude]

Can I join in the collective :jawdrop?


Stunning, all of them. Welcome and like others look forward to :jawdrop'ing at more of your work. Thanks for sharing!

AJ

[ian408]

Very nice series and welcome to dgrin! I think the egret bar has been raised :D

I have a quick Chicago question. Are there raptors downtown?

Ian

[Hawkman]

At the baylands rookery you can pretty much walk up to these birds - the fence surrounding it is very close in, and the birds are too occupied with other things, like nest building, to be bothered with you. The difficult part is getting a well exposed photo with a decent background. Several obstacles: a close and unpretty background for stills, some difficult lighting - the morning is best for the egrets, but the afternoon evening presents backligting oppurtunities. A lot of herons were in trees that were best lit towards the evening. So my best herons are evening, best egrets morning.

Shooting towards noon in the morning, exposing for highlights gave me the best background. Because of the strong light and shadows in the trees at that time, the background is dark enough it isn't too distracting. I had to lighten it some in some photos with the shadow/highlight tool in photoshop.

These birds make short, sometimes uneven flights gathering sticks for their nest. I had difficulty locking focus in time with my 10d. 20d appears to fare better.

Cheers,
Gene

[Hawkman]

Very nice series and welcome to dgrin! I think the egret bar has been raised :D

I have a quick Chicago question. Are there raptors downtown?

Ian
Thanks Ian,
I don't live in the city, but I expect any large city has their share of them.
Gene

[ian408]

Thanks Ian,
I don't live in the city, but I expect any large city has their share of them.
Gene
Thanks!

I would guess so too. Lot's of free lunch available :D

Ian