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Thread: Squacco Heron ( breeding)

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Default Squacco Heron ( breeding)

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    If you knew what I was up against to achieve this, Im more than happy. I came up to this waterway in my car driving very slowly, as there is always some birdlife in this area. As I looked down towards the water, this squacco heron was perched on the rock. The whole area is under overhanging trees, taken early morning with just about no sunlight. This is also my first image of one of these guys. I also had to deal with trying to shoot him between bits of foliage. Taken in a small nature reserve close to my house.

    Canon 50D
    100-400 @ 400mm
    1/250
    F/6.3
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp +0.33
    Hand held from the car.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Bowie View Post
    If you knew what I was up against to achieve this, Im more than happy. I came up to this waterway in my car driving very slowly, as there is always some birdlife in this area. As I looked down towards the water, this squacco heron was perched on the rock. The whole area is under overhanging trees, taken early morning with just about no sunlight. This is also my first image of one of these guys. I also had to deal with trying to shoot him between bits of foliage. Taken in a small nature reserve close to my house.

    Canon 50D
    100-400 @ 400mm
    1/250
    F/6.3
    ISO 400

    Exp Comp +0.33
    Hand held from the car.
    breathtaking sharpness. You say hand held? Did you have the camera resting on anything. I can't imagine getting this if I was had holding without additional support.

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    Hi Stuart, What a handsome heron! Fantastic pose, perch, and bg. Those legs look really awesome. Not sure, but was the critical focus on the shoulder?
    Thanks for sharing.

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    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
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    Hi Stu, love the colour, really makes the heron 'ping' out, good detail too.

    Lucky to have this close by.

    TFS
    Steve
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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sidharth Kodikal View Post
    Not sure, but was the critical focus on the shoulder?
    Thanks Sidharth. Good observation. I had a look and the focus point was just below the shoulder.

    Thanks Christopher. When Im in the car, I dont rest on anything, and always handhold my 100-400, even when shooting out in the field.

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    Lifetime Member James Salywoda's Avatar
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    Gorgeous bird and colors nice angle of capture and of course sharp.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Stuart:

    Sharp, soft colors, great perch, duck weed gives more interest to the water, nice feet too.

    Good job under trying circumstances.

    Cheers

    Randy

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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Congrats on getting such a nice first image of a species. The natural habitat is fantastic and the bird looks great in that breeding plumage! I might add some canvas to the top, bottom, and right.
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    Stuart, this is excellent. Loved the BG. Good call on not cropping the rock. Terrific sharpness.

  10. #10
    Ken Watkins
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    Stuart,

    Great capture, I have always found these difficult, no idea why.

    Is the BG pond weed?

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks a lot for the feedback and comments guys.

    Doug. I have quite a bit of canvas left all round. Thanks for the advice.

    Ken. Im actually not sure what the weed is called. Ive become attached to the word duckweed - not sure if its correct :confused:

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    liked the setting here. lucky to get such calm green vegetation over the water and having perch on that for such birds are great addition. very well taken.

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    BPN Viewer Pieter de Waal's Avatar
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    Well done Stuart good sharpness with HH at that SS. Lovely exposure which shows the delicate colours in the plumage to great effect and being in the shade has helped. I find the colours on this species get easily blown with a bit more light. Also like the composition.

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    Stuart, love this image. The HA and perch works for me.

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    Johan Kruger
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    Lovely image Stuart, was this Rietvlei ? I might just go and look for your model on Sunday :)

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    Great image Stuart. Habitat very well included.

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    Stuart, Fantastic! The green BG really makes this special. I like the sharp details and the pose. I agree a bit more room up top. Well done.:)

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thank you all so much for the feedback and comments. Always appreciated.

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    Stuart, your story adds much to my appreciation of this photo. I don't find it surprising that you achieved such sharpness hand-held; your lens wouldn't be so very unwieldy.

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    Thanks a stack Craig.

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