The Stalker

[dankearl]

American Bittern, a follow up to the image a while back where it swam across a pond towards me.
The notoriously recluse bird came up the bank towards me. This is almost full frame.
I don't know what he thought I was?
1/1000
f5.6
300 mm (300 f2.8)
iso320

DSC_4206nx.jpg

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Dan, this could be a nice habitat shot if the head was more parallel to the back of the camera and without the shadows on the head as well as the OOF grasses in the FG.
sweet light and nice details. keep it up! :)

[gail bisson]

Beautiful light. The shadows across the face are very distracting as well as the long blade of grass that sweeps up to the bill. Very neat experience though!
Gail

[Bill Dix]

Amazing to get one of these guys so close and personal. Interesting perspective and I like the comp. Arash's points are well taken, but just illustrate the problem in capturing this elusive species. Well done in my book.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Dan, agree that HA could have been better. But for this species, such a close shot is rare.

[Daniel Cadieux]

For me, too, the shadows on the face and the long grass blades at right are distractions. I do love the opportunity you had, it must have been exciting to witness...my heart would have been racing!!