I was photographing shorebirds on my belly when this unsuspecting great blue heron landed 25 feet away from me. He did not see me behind the camera.
Unlike Florida, getting close to a GBH in Cape Breton is almost impossible. They fly away just by slowing the car down!
He preened and did his thing and eventually flew off. I don't think he ever realized that I was there! Taken 3 minutes after sunset.
Canon 1 DX3 600mm and 1.4x
Shot as a vertical.
PP:Small crop to 80% FF, reduced magenta cast, softened the edges of a distant telephone pole (with blur tool and clone tool) at the top of the frame
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail
PS Now that I see this posted I think I could sharpen a bit more
08-16-2020, 08:19 AM
David Roach
Great story and of course image. Another advantage of a nice long lens, doubles as a blind:S3:... Love the intimate low POV, the pose and the BG. I even like the dark parts as they are positioned well and add to the mood. TFS
ps
Those thigh feathers...
08-16-2020, 09:41 AM
Geoffrey Montagu
Wonderfull preening capture, Gail. Love the contorted wings in the preening process. The light sends this one over the top. The heron almost has a 3D quality set off by the beautiful foreground and background smoothness. Love the subtle colors.
I like the low angle and the setting. The pose is neat as well. Always a nice treat to have a not tame bird be somewhat tame for a minute or two.
08-16-2020, 12:25 PM
Bill Dix
Crazy dynamic pose. Love the green base. Funny that they are skittish in your area. Around here they are pretty tame.
08-16-2020, 03:17 PM
Arthur Morris
1 Attachment(s)
Love the soft light and the intimate perspective of this shaking-it-out juvie. I am not a fan of boxy crops unless absolutely needed. I eliminated one o-o-f grass clump and cleaned up and smoothed the upper BKGR. If anyone wants to know how, please ask.
with love, artie
08-16-2020, 07:28 PM
Daniel Cadieux
GBHs are skittish here too (except for the odd juvie such as here), but this summer I've come across two cooperative ones, and adults at that!
I love the pose, one that only GBHs can offer in their seemingly unlimited repertoire! Awesome low angle, and the feet splayed almost flat on the ground are pretty neat. I do like what Artie has done to the BG (I can live with either crop, with slight preference to the thinner vertical). P.S. looks sharp enough for me as posted!
08-17-2020, 05:15 AM
gail bisson
I eliminated one o-o-f grass clump and cleaned up and smoothed the upper BKGR. If anyone wants to know how, please ask.
with love, artie[/QUOTE]
You did a great job with the BG Artie. Thank you. Would love to know how you did this,
Gail
08-17-2020, 10:17 AM
Brian Sump
Gail, a fun pose and a lovely sweet feel. As mentioned elsewhere, the dof here and pov are great.
Couple edits from Artie noted and probably helps an already great frame.