Same sequence, less motion...

[David Roach]

EOS R EF400 DO 2xtc II f11 1/160 ISO 800 manual exposure

In this frame from same sequence, she is done with her sky move and since he has no branch she didn't bother to get all the way up (still on her knees as she rose from laying in the nest). They are both in that bristling mode where they jut that mating plumage. Much less motion and the 1/160th (again wish it was faster with higher ISO) almost froze the action completely. I do like that she is somewhat out of the bramble and more against the darker BG in this one. I wanted to try for more pixels on these beauties by trying on this morning at 800mm but it is very easy to get parts out of the frame (for instance if she stood and "skyed" like with a branch offering). This is full frame top to bottom.

Please keep those very helpful comments coming and Happy New Year to all...

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi David, I have been enjoying the images of the Great Blue Herons interacting. I am guessing it is Wakodahatchee Wetlands, just looks like it as I remember from a long time ago. A question, why such a low shutter speed when the birds are certainly moving and interacting with each other? Thank you for sharing.

[David Roach]

Yes, Joe, this is at Wako. The low shutter speed was unintended as I am getting used to manual exposure with constantly changing light. I explained it in previous post.
Thanks as always for your valued comments.
Peace,
David

Hi David, I have been enjoying the images of the Great Blue Herons interacting. I am guessing it is Wakodahatchee Wetlands, just looks like it as I remember from a long time ago. A question, why such a low shutter speed when the birds are certainly moving and interacting with each other? Thank you for sharing.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Yes, Joe, this is at Wako. The low shutter speed was unintended as I am getting used to manual exposure with constantly changing light. I explained it in previous post.
Thanks as always for your valued comments.
Peace,
David

Hi David, I'll throw this out for you to think about. I always use the manual setting on my camera. In the situation with the herons you have be photographing I would have set the shutter speed to 1/1000 or 1/1250 (higher if the light was bright and would allow). I would have used F/8 the minimum aperture for your 400 DO and a 2x teleconverter. I would have set the ISO to Auto ISO and used the +/- EV to get the correct exposure for the white chin patch on the Great Blue Heron. The Auto ISO would expose for the changing light keeping the other settings fixed. I am not sure if your Canon EOS R will let you use Auto ISO in manual mode, if so you can set the shutter speed and aperture and let the camera adjust for the changing light. The way I do it, take it for what it's worth.

[David Roach]

It's worth a lot coming from you.
Peace, David

Hi David, I'll throw this out for you to think about. I always use the manual setting on my camera. In the situation with the herons you have be photographing I would have set the shutter speed to 1/1000 or 1/1250 (higher if the light was bright and would allow). I would have used F/8 the minimum aperture for your 400 DO and a 2x teleconverter. I would have set the ISO to Auto ISO and used the +/- EV to get the correct exposure for the white chin patch on the Great Blue Heron. The Auto ISO would expose for the changing light keeping the other settings fixed. I am not sure if your Canon EOS R will let you use Auto ISO in manual mode, if so you can set the shutter speed and aperture and let the camera adjust for the changing light. The way I do it, take it for what it's worth.

[John Mack]

Nice setting these herons are in. Like the poses and the dark background. Looks sharp to me. Like the fluffed up feathers.