Great Blue from the Hooptie Deux

[James Shadle]

109398
Great Blue Heron, Breeding Adult.
Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
Nikon D700 with Sigma 300-800mm F5.6 @ 600mm
ISO 400, 1/1250 SS @ F8
Manually exposed, AF-C / Dynamic 9 point AF

After 8 days of no light - finally there was light.

I photographed the GBH from the deck of the Hooptie Deux so I could have higher perspective.
By being higher than water level I was able to eliminate the distant shoreline.

I think Cheryl may have captured a few nice images at the same shooting height. :w3

[gail bisson]

The light is just beautiful. IQ is great and I like the wing spread and the way the light shines on the underwings and the thighs. Looks likes golden drumsticks! Tack sharp head and feet. No nits from me,
Gail

[Randy Stout]

James:

Wow, you really do take pictures occ! :bg3: Seriously, great to see you posting.

Very nice 3D effect, subject really pops, great separation from the BG, sharp, well exposed. The water colors play well with lores and the blue grey tones of the plumage.

Perfect pose, even the feet are nicely separated.

Hope to see more!

Cheers

Randy

[Ofer Levy]

I like this! Great pose and sweet light! A tiny bit on the bright side but nothing major.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful one James, The light makes this, beautiful details too..

[Mark Itol]

Superb light, detail, pose, and clarity. The blue background complements the bird's colors very well.

[Grace Scalzo]

The blue lores and the matching blue water is what caught my attention. Nice, sharp, clean. Good to see you posting, James, missed your work!

[jack williamson]

Great wingspan and a ton of detail.

Jack

[Stu Bowie]

Hi James, great landing pose with the outspread wings, and lots of sharp detail to look at. The placement of the heron is spot on, and nicely separated from the water BG. Well captured.

[stuart wanuck]

One of the best landing poses of this heron that I have seen
you really outdid yourself on this one bg smashing I am jealous

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent wing and feet position. gorgeous light and BG, head and tail whites look just a bit bright on my screen, might tone down a tad.

it's a winner!

so when are you stepping up to the D800 and 600VR?

[James Shadle]

A new D4 and repairing my old 600mm AF-S.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

[Marina Scarr]

Nice to see you posting, James. Love this landing pose and the light is killer.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

James, you should post more often. this one's great. light is incredible. IMO, the best part is feet not overlapping each other.

[adrian dancy]

Nothing to fault...everything to like.

[Sid Garige]

Excellent techs James. Brilliant pose and wonderful details.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Just brilliant, James. I love everything about it. Light, pose, comp, IQ - all superb.

[arash_hazeghi]

A new D4 and repairing my old 600mm AF-S.

Thanks for the comments everyone.

No D800 :O ?

[Roman Kurywczak]

I just have one thing to say: Sigma! It will be Sigmonster overload in a few days on the Hooptie Deaux!