birds can be evil creatures

[Harryb]

Hi You'll,

My locale has lots of birds, all kinds of birds. What we don't get normally are night herons. I don't have any really good shots of night herons. I went out to the Wetlands and what do I see but a juvenile Yellow-Crowned Night Heron. This bird of course has chosen to sit on a water station with the sun directly behind him.
This was the best I could do.

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/23042633-L.jpg

Two days later I went up to Merritt Island and I meet up with a Black Crowned Night-Heron
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/23042006-L.jpg

He has of course chosen a position where he is obscured by a branch. This time though there is a path that leads to the other side of the tree where I can get a clear shot. I very carefully move to a spot that was further away than my original position but one that gave me a clear view. I moved slowly, I didn't look directly at him, I did not move in a straight line, I did everything right. After 15 minutes of careful manuevering I was ready and the #$%@*# took off. This is what I got

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/23042008-L.jpg

My first Black-Crowned Night-Heron butt shot. This one is for you Jeff.

[MuskyDude]

I like the bokeh in #1 Harry, makes a nice background for the shot.



AJ

[Harryb]

I like the bokeh in #1 Harry, makes a nice background for the shot.



AJ

you are a very kind person AJ.

[bfjr]

Yep had this happen all morning, set up for a shot @#$%@$ they jump ship, Geeeezzzzzzz sometimes they don't make it easy on us do they, Harry ??

Ya know though even your not the best catches are darn good Harry :thumb

[Harryb]

Yep had this happen all morning, set up for a shot @#$%@$ they jump ship, Geeeezzzzzzz sometimes they don't make it easy on us do they, Harry ??

Ya know though even your not the best catches are darn good Harry :thumb
Hey Ben,

They can be pure evil. They will always try to have some covering in front of them to ruin the shot. They love being backlit. Their absolute favorite is to give you the butt shot view.

You too are very kind. :D

[GREAPER]

Night herons are tricky birds, around here they are VERY timid.

BTW is that a hint of a dust spec just below the BIF s left wing tip?

[Harryb]

Night herons are tricky birds, around here they are VERY timid.

BTW is that a hint of a dust spec just below the BIF s left wing tip?
They are pretty timid down here too except for that first one. He knew he was backlit all to heck so he wasn't moving. :D

I do believe you are right about that dust spot. :cry Time to get out the rocket blower, eclipse fluid and those pec pads. Oh bother.

[Kirwin]

Great captures Harry:thumb


I have only seen one in my neck of the woods. I stumbled upon him, and spooked him straight into flight. No chance whatsoever for a pic!:cry

[Harryb]

Great captures Harry:thumb


I have only seen one in my neck of the woods. I stumbled upon him, and spooked him straight into flight. No chance whatsoever for a pic!:cry
You are too kind. I will get me a good clear shot of those suckers sooner or later.

[jwear]

ok here is the birds idea of us photo boys #1 see what the lens length is #2 after they get the length they step back just out of focus #3 as we press the button they move ,head .wing something #4 you still there ok last thing give em that butt shot #5 fly oh yea only butt shot never never fly at them never :D and now you know why us fly boys like even a fuzzy, hidden in the bush ,1/2 a bird even 1/4 bird shots --- it is not EASY :cry :cry :cry :cry but once you get one :D

[Harryb]

ok here is the birds idea of us photo boys #1 see what the lens length is #2 after they get the length they step back just out of focus #3 as we press the button they move ,head .wing something #4 you still there ok last thing give em that butt shot #5 fly oh yea only butt shot never never fly at them never :D and now you know why us fly boys like even a fuzzy, hidden in the bush ,1/2 a bird even 1/4 bird shots --- it is not EASY :cry :cry :cry :cry but once you get one :D
:lol4
Jeff that's one of the best descriptios of the "joys" of bird shooting I've heard.

[ginger_55]

This whole thing is a progression of diseases: the camera, the lenses, the bird, yikes: more lenses must haves.................and it goes on.

I DID post a photo of the male osprey, and I said that bird hates me. He knows my car. I posted a photo of him looking straight at me. I won't even list the ways he has tormented me. Maybe parking in a different direction: across the road (s) yesterday, maybe it foiled him. Actually, he wasn't there.

I hate to anthropomorphize (sp) again, but he hates me.

So it goes on............... I must get that shot, must get that shot, must get that shot..........need the lens..... etc.

g
Only thing more annoying might be a fellow birder:uhoh , who posts deliberate Night Heron shots at strategic moments. Hate people like that, then, I am a birder, or paparazzo, as I say it.:D

I have "cried" many nights with the frustration of this "challenge". Probably felt by the people with guns, :nono , in the bad old days. Glorified here in the south, though not talked about, much, but written of in books and poetry.

[Harryb]

Hey Ginger,

If you let them those dang birds will drive you crazy. Even if you come home with some good shots there is always this one shot that would have been fantastic that you missed. No matter what lens you have you will always need one thats 200mm longer. :cry

Harry

[ginger_55]

Hey Ginger,

If you let them those dang birs will drive you crazy. Even if you come home with some good shots there is always this one shot that would have been fantastic that you missed. No matter what lens you have you will always need one thats 200mm longer. :cry

Harry

We Love It don't we, Harry.:D

Nothing makes an A type happier than frustration! Bird geeks, we are bird geeks.

g

How about knowing that if you just left your death bed and went OUT THERE, you would/might get that shot you have only been dreaming of.

The guilt that comes on after dark, for letting the whole day go by, without a try!