Feeding Frenzy

[Henry Domke]

A Snowy Egret has just caught a fish and is dragging its golden feet in the water.


This morning at Ding Darling NWR I came across about 50 birds (Snowy Egrets, White Ibis and Great Egrets) frantically moving about as they dipped into the water to catch small fish.


Despite the intense feeding it was hard to get a pleasing image. Any advice on photographing a feeding frenzy?


CPS just delivered a Canon 1DX for me to try out. I'm trying to see if I prefer it to my 5D3. So far my main impression is that the AF seems to snap onto the birds more quickly. The ache in my shoulders tells me that the 1DX is also heavier.


Canon 1DX
Canon 600 f/4 II
1/1,000 sec
f/7.1
ISO 3,200
Hand Held (probably a mistake on this one, should have used my tripod to protect my shoulders)
Worked up in Lightrooom 5 and Photoshop CC

[gail bisson]

Hi Henry,
Glad to see you made it safe and sound on Sanibel.
It is always a challenge to isolate birds at a rookery or during a gathering for food. I try to scan the area for a spot that has a good BG and that only the occasional bird lands in. And I sit and wait... Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it is a bust.
I like your exposure on the egret and it is always a bonus to get the trailing feet. I find the bird in the RUC to be a bit distracting. Not sure how you feel about cloning but I would evict the bird and its white shadow on the water.
I like the way the vegetation envelops the egret.
I also think this needs a bit of CW rotation,
Gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

Feeding frenzies can be exciting eh! Just look for a subject that is a bit more isolated than the others (can be easier said than done with frantic movement) or pick one that is the most interesting as far as action goes, all the while watching for pleasing BGs and settings.

I love the foot dragging action here, and most of the foliage looks nice. Some of the whites a tad bright. Prey item a bonus. Wondering what is happening with the semi-disappearing act on the oof egret above the main subject's bill? Cloning perhaps? Hope you have fun testing out the 1DX!

[Arthur Morris]

You've done quite well here with only the hot whites and the birds in the BKGR being problematic. Love the sharpness, the killifish, and the dragging yellow slippers.

[Henry Domke]

Thanks for your suggestions on photographing a frenzy. I hope to see one again.

I find the bird in the RUC to be a bit distracting.

I did use an adjustment layer to darken the bird but I did not go far enough. I think you are right that cloning would be better.

I also think this needs a bit of CW rotation,

Yes. Thanks for the feedback!

[Henry Domke]

Wondering what is happening with the semi-disappearing act on the oof egret above the main subject's bill? Cloning perhaps?

Hah! You caught it! That means my attempt to hide the white birds immediately above the birds head did not work.

Hope you have fun testing out the 1DX!

It is being fun. My biggest fear is that I will become convinced that it is significantly better than my 5D3. If that happens then I may be out a lot of money.