The Gulp..and a lesson learned

[Ken Lassman]

Following up on yesterday's post...It took the Anhingha almost 15 minutes to maneuver his catch into a position in order to swallow the fish head first. I shot over 50 frames getting the entire sequence of the changing positions of the fish. Finally the last moments...I moved to the left several feet, camera in vertical position, subject full frame at a better angle - being thrilled to have captured it all.
Being new at this - Lesson Learned:
I can see the difference between the two posts. Yesterday was better. In the fifteen minutes from start to finish, the lighting changed and I moved to a different angle. I did not change my settings which I now know made the difference between them. I could say I was excited over the sequence (I was) but it was due to inexperience :confused:. Hope this helps other newbies and lessens the punishment from the Forum Police ;).

Nikon D300
Nikon 300/2.8
ISO 400
f/5.6 @ 1/1250
Manual, Hand Held

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Ken The action is sweet and always a thrill to catch !! Just need better light Blacks in the body are blocked and not sure you could add any more light !! Imagine you could not maneuver for a bette angle? .. water bg would have been nice !!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Ken - can relate to that - always get excited when seeing great action or a rare one :)
Agree with AL'S points - pity the birds dont always co-operate.
Le the action but does look a little contrasty.

[Dave Mills]

Hi Ken, Agree that one can't always be in the best position when you see action like this. Sometimes a cormorant will play with a fish for awhile in order to position it and give you some time to maneuver.
You did catch the action but Al made some good technical points. You might clone out the dark area on the very top...

[Ken Lassman]

Thanks Al, Lance and Dave...I felt it was a learning experience worth sharing with other juvenile photographers...it was definitely a "DUH" Moment :confused: after realizing why it wasn't as good as the first....but not as embarrassing as the time I didn't put the compact flash card in the camera and left it at home :D