I visited a wetlands south of Johannesburg yesterday, along with three of my photographic mates. I hadnt been there for over a year, and wasnt disappointed with the action that we had during the morning. There were two Squacco Herons fishing infront of the hide, and this was one of them that was busy for the early part of the morning. As you know, I love a challenge of a take off shot of any bird, and this is my first of a Squacco Heron. Infact, my other images of this fellow were my first decent images, as they were fairly close to us. Shot from a hide.
Canon 1D Mark IV
100-400 @ 190mm - zoomed out to ensure I didnt cut off any wings from take off.
1/2500
F/7.1
ISO 800
Great timing on the take-off Stu. Good DOF to keep it all sharp. I really like the details in the wings - those feathers seem to almost glow. I'm guessing that this is from your Marievale trip - my only Squaccos are from there too.
Uri, If you like an image please let us know why. We work hard here to avoid becoming a "Great Shot" forum.
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Hey Stu, Have a great 2103. I could not stand seeing one of my favorite birds in the world skewered..... I do understand that the repost might not fit with your personal ethics but felt that some might enjoy the non-skewered look. I used Denise Ippolito's cloning on a layer technique followed by my divide and conquer Patch Tool technique. Both as described in detail in Digital Basics.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
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As for the crop from the bottom, there was just too much negative space there for me.
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Artie, thanks a stack for the wishes, and thanks a stack for your suggestions and feedback. I dont have an issue with removing things, and wondered if at least the vertical branch would bother some. Sometimes, I just leave things as they were. I also thought the forked perch mirrored the two raised wings.
YAW Stu. I did consider leaving the lower protruding branch. The one branch that had to go was the smallest of the three, the one above the rump.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
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The original is really nice, excellent timing, great wing position, Stuart. I have to admit that I did not like the branches, especially the one in front. Then I scrolled down and saw the repost done by Artie. I think it is a nice improvement.
Wish you all the best in 2013.
Dynamic scene captured well. I think the simplest solution is to take a saw with you next time, and do some pre shot processing on that perch! (Just kidding of course!)
Artie's surgery was successful, the patient will survive and will be even better than before!
Hey Randy, Don't laugh. At some places, that (or an alternative) is actually an option. A former editor of the now-defunct Birder's World magazine once stated to a live audience that he would use an image if someone sawed off part of a perch in advance and then attracted the owl back onto the perch with a tape. But that he would not use the image if he knew that the branch was removed in Photoshop. I commented as politely as I could be saying that he was insane and that his position was indefensible .
Have a great 2013.
BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.
BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.
Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,
I love the take-off pose and the BG. Good techs. I was not sold on the comp and glad Artie reposted what I think is an improvement. The branch removal looks good too. P.S. good call zooming out to avoid wing clipping...
Hi Stu,
As soon as I saw this shot I wanted the branch evicted so I like Artie's repost.
Good composition and take-off pose.Whites look great and I like that he is flying towards you
Gail
Staurt Sir,
When I saw the image (without seeing other's comments),I was thinking how it look would without branch between the wings....and saw Arthur Sir's repost.
Looks superb.Love the nice take off pose with full wings up with beautiful details in whites,hanging foot,colors,details and of course beautiful BG.
Excellent shot!!!!
Love the wing position, very nice light, wonderful background, and exposed very well.
Artie's repost took care of the branches.
Well done.
Beautiful Heron Stu, and you captured a dynamic pose, rendered sharply and exposed perfectly.
I was fine with the branches in the OP. The crop up from the bottom was a definite improvement imo.
Squacco Heron take off
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Originally Posted by Uri First
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