White-faced Heron wing stretch

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I was walking our smallest dog by Penrith Lakes a couple of weeks ago when I spotted this wonderful heron in good afternoon light. So I slowly approached with doggie in tow and managed to sit close by. This is one of my resulting images. I should clean the droppings perhaps and I am certainly not a fan of the concrete ramp, but not much I could have done. It is not something I see everyday. As well, my little girl sat next to me ever so intently and she was not even trying to catch the birdie. LOL! :)

30D, 300/4L IS USM + 1.4x, handheld.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Akos - Exposure looks spot on - love the detail and the low shooting angle. Good show :)
Droppings don't worry me - only thing would have wished for would have been a bit more seperation between the bill and the reeds/flowers in the background.

[Kathy Reeves]

Fantastic image---is this a junvielle LBH? I believe I would clean up the droppings.

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Akos,
I like the composition, you have nice sharp details, a good head angle and a sharp eye...for your next post Akos, would appreciate it if the complete EXIF data is disclosed so that we can better kelp you in making our recommendations and suggestions. For up close captures like this one, I suggest opening up the aperture value to a f/5.6 or f/4 depending on the type of lens used. so that the background would be blurred and placing more attention on your bird, which you captured quite well...what shutter speed did you used? :cool:

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Hi Akos,
I like the composition, you have nice sharp details, a good head angle and a sharp eye...for your next post Akos, would appreciate it if the complete EXIF data is disclosed so that we can better kelp you in making our recommendations and suggestions. For up close captures like this one, I suggest opening up the aperture value to a f/5.6 or f/4 depending on the type of lens used. so that the background would be blurred and placing more attention on your bird, which you captured quite well...what shutter speed did you used? :cool:

Thanks Gus. I would usually post all info. However, I posted the image from work and had no Photoshop or exif viewer available. I wonder why my employer wouldn't provide me with a copy! Those mongrels! :D

Here is the exif.

ISO400, 300/4L IS + 1.4x, f/8, 1/800th,

I probably should have used f/5.6, but I honestly don't think it would have made a really big difference, OK maybe blurred a little more, but the grasses were way to close for a nice OOF effect. :)

[Alfred Forns]

Just the separation with the weeds Akos !!! All else looks good and sure is a handsome bird !! Love that wing stretch !!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Fantastic image---is this a junvielle LBH? I believe I would clean up the droppings.

Hi Kathy, I believe you are talking about a Blue Heron? This is an Australian species, Egretta novaehollandiae. Thank you for the kind comments.

[Harold Davis]

beautiful bird, akos. agree with the others about the bill separation not much y0u could do there! love that light. thanks for sharing. never seen this species.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Great exposure and details Akos. Am wondering about more habitat in the frame. looks a wee bit tight to me for a big bird. Love the open wing and raised foot.