Little Blue at the mudhole

[Bob Blanchard]

Hey all - here's another from early summer at "Bob's mystery mudhole". The whole place is under water right now, but it's finaly starting to recede just a bit. I can't wait to get back there late spring, as it's tough to beat these backgrounds!

Canon 1DsMII, 600mm f/4L, f/5, 1/1000, ISO 200, Early light (8 AM), Face down in some really smelly mud with dead fish laying everywhere due to the drying lake....but worth every minute of it for the images you get!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool setting, colors and light. I might sharpen the bird some more and maybe remove the sheen on the legs.

[Alfred Forns]

Agree with Axel Can add that I love the overall feel, that bg is just wonderful !! Simple and beautiful !!!! Like it a lot !!! If anything might take just a tad from the right !!!

[Vincent Grafhorst]

Killer BG indeed, lovely soft colors and light. Another vote for a bit of sharpening on the bird.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Gorgeous image Bob with a stunning BG and composition. Really like this a lot. I agree a tad more sharpening would enhance the beautiful capture. Many thanks for sharing.

[Doug Brown]

Terrific composition and color produce a very serene feel to this image. Love the BG colors. I agree about more sharpening.

[Maxis Gamez]

Very cool setting, colors and light. I might sharpen the bird some more and maybe remove the sheen on the legs.

Hey Bob,

I didn't say it this time.... :)

[Bob Blanchard]

Hey Bob,

I didn't say it this time.... :)

LOL - No, you're waiting until I post the sharpened version....Then you'll tag me for the halo (normally Axel's nit :)). I love you guys!

:D:D:D

[Maxis Gamez]

LOL - No, you're waiting until I post the sharpened version....Then you'll tag me for the halo (normally Axel's nit :)). I love you guys!

:D:D:D

Your funny dude!!! Glad to have you with us!! :D

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Hi Bob. I like the color harmonies, composition, and the somewhat lack of sharpness is not a problem for me. However, having taken many photos of little blues, I was immediately struck by something wrong with the eye. Little blues, as I'm sure you know, have yellow eyes, yet in this image they do not appear yellow, but much darker. This is to be expected, I suppose, in dim lighting, and may very well be related to the lighting conditions at the time. Nonetheless the image doesn't seem right to me for what would seem to be a minor detail. regards~Bill

[Bob Blanchard]

Hi Bob. I like the color harmonies, composition, and the somewhat lack of sharpness is not a problem for me. However, having taken many photos of little blues, I was immediately struck by something wrong with the eye. Little blues, as I'm sure you know, have yellow eyes, yet in this image they do not appear yellow, but much darker. This is to be expected, I suppose, in dim lighting, and may very well be related to the lighting conditions at the time. Nonetheless the image doesn't seem right to me for what would seem to be a minor detail. regards~Bill

Hi Bill - I found that odd as well (as I have photographed many Little Blues). I think this may have something to do with the fact that he was in breeding plumage. The colors are actually accurate, as I photographed him several times on different days. Just a different look, I guess. Perhaps someone can chime in as to whether or not this is normal coloration in breeding plumage.

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Bob: The instant I read your comment on breeding plumage (which, of course, I hadn't considered) I realized this must be the case. Off the top of my head I can think of several birds, such as great egrets and cattle egrets, that I have observed having different eye color during breeding season. I went back to my archives and took a look at little blue herons in full breeding plumage. The iris of the eye was brown, with a slight yellowish cast. Interesting. Well, that explains the eye color. regards~Bill