tough choice

[Harryb]

Hi you'll

The other day while in the wetlands I came across this scene. Now right in front of me I had this fine Great Blue Heron just standing there posing saying "take my pciture pleae". In the background a bit of a ways off on top to the dead tree was a Bald Eagle just hanging out. Do I pass by the Heron (easy shot) and go for the eagle who's a real tough shot, he's very high up and backlit?

Harry

[Steve Cavigliano]

Hi you'll

The other day while in the wetlands I came across this scene. Now right in front of me I had this fine Great Blue Heron just standing there posing saying "take my pciture pleae". In the background a bit of a ways off on top to the dead tree was a Bald Eagle just hanging out. Do I pass by the Heron (easy shot) and go for the eagle who's a real tough shot, he's very high up and backlit?

Harry
Harry,
I shoot lots of birds in trees or on poles and my hit rate is extremely low :cry The biggest problem is the perspective you get from the ground. You either have to move farther away to get a view of the entire bird, or you can get close and get a nice head, or tail shot. It's really hard, from the ground, to get a decent angle of the entire (or at least, most of the bird). Not to mention shooting against a bright sky (this may be a job for the Better Beamer, which I have also shot pole sitters with). From directly under the pole it fries the subject.....lol It works well from farther back, but then you wind up with a smaller bird.

The eagle would be a challenge and if that's what you are looking for, go for it. The GBH, is a relatively easier shot, but as you point out, not very challenging. Plus, I believe you already have one or two GBH shots in your portfolio :roll


Whatever you wind up shooting, please share it with us :D


Steve

[LiquidOps]

you can't shoot both? :scratch :dunno


it is digital after all :)

[ehughes]

Go for the tough shot, sure your rate of success might be lower. But that's how you might get the shot that nobody else has.

Ed

Of course you could always wound the Heron and feed it to the Eagle... ( kidding ):D

[Ric Grupe]

:thumb :wink

What a terrible fix to be in. :flip (:D ).

[Harryb]

[QUOTE=Steve Cavigliano]Harry,
I shoot lots of birds in trees or on poles and my hit rate is extremely low :cry The biggest problem is the perspective you get from the ground. You either have to move farther away to get a view of the entire bird, or you can get close and get a nice head, or tail shot. It's really hard, from the ground, to get a decent angle of the entire (or at least, most of the bird). Not to mention shooting against a bright sky (this may be a job for the Better Beamer, which I have also shot pole sitters with). From directly under the pole it fries the subject.....lol It works well from farther back, but then you wind up with a smaller bird.

The eagle would be a challenge and if that's what you are looking for, go for it. The GBH, is a relatively easier shot, but as you point out, not very challenging. Plus, I believe you already have one or two GBH shots in your portfolio :roll

Hey Steve,

Yeah, I really hate those straight up shots. Those darn raptors know that and they always perch on some high tree and laugh at me. :cry

Anyhow even though I had a bunch of perching Eagle shots already I had less of them than I had Heron pics so I went past the heron and he flew off and tried a few eagle shots. I'll post the results shortly.

Harry

[Harryb]

you can't shoot both? :scratch :dunno


it is digital after all :)
The problem you have is that if you go by the heron you may spook him and he'll fly away which is what happened as I passed him. If you stop and shoot the heron and then move on tot he eagle there is a good chance he will won't be there when you get done. The eagles don't hang out on that perch too long. He flew off after I took two shots.

Harry

[Harryb]

Go for the tough shot, sure your rate of success might be lower. But that's how you might get the shot that nobody else has.

Ed

Of course you could always wound the Heron and feed it to the Eagle... ( kidding ):D
You're right Ed. I went for the eagle. I just can't pass up an eagle.

Harry

[Andy]

get the heron, go have your dinner at 2:30, and come back for the eagle :lol3

nice one, h!

[Harryb]

:thumb :wink

What a terrible fix to be in. :flip (:D ).
What me brag? Well maybe just a bit. :wink

It was tough but I was up to the challenge

Harry

[Harryb]

get the heron, go have your dinner at 2:30, and come back for the eagle :lol3

nice one, h!
What dinner at 2:30? I don't stay up that late. I'm retired don't you know. :rofl

Harry

[Ric Grupe]

What me brag? Well maybe just a bit. :wink

It was tough but I was up to the challenge

Harry
Without a doubt that would have been my choice. Hope you got him!

Yesterday morning I almost got one:

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/14790346-M.jpg

Just have to keep trying.

Good luck.

[Harryb]

Without a doubt that would have been my choice. Hope you got him!

Yesterday morning I almost got one:



Just have to keep trying.

Good luck.
Hey Ric,

I hate those tree branches. They have ruined more shots than I can count. I'm convinced that the birds stay behind them just to ruin our shots.

Harry