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Sandhill Crane Reflection

I was hiking at Heron County Park near Danville IL. I followed this pair respectfully for over and hour. I captured this photo of them feeding at the edge of ...
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I was hiking at Heron County Park near Danville IL. I followed this pair respectfully for over and hour. I captured this photo of them feeding at the edge of a marsh with their reflections on the water
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Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

settings

Aperture f/8 ISO 800 Shutter 1/1000 Focal Length 250/1

upload_date

Sep, 2020

Views

187

Likes

Awards

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Treasure Award

Winter Award 2020

Peer Award

Top Choice

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

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Behind The Lens

Location

This was taken in a park near Danville, Illinois called Heron Park. This park features an observation tower overlooking a marsh, and a boardwalk. This photo was taken across the road in the other half of the park. This park features a trail, marsh, prairie, and savannah habitat. I was standing on the edge of the road with cars going by, oblivious to the scene I was photographing.

Time

This was taken about 445pm.

Lighting

This photo was all natural light, as are the majority of my wildlife photos. I am looking north, so the sun is to my left. This was taken in sunlight at this point in time.

Equipment

This was shot with a Canon 5d Mark IV, using a Tamron 150-600 lens. This particular shot was at 250mm, 1/1000, f8, ISO 800. I handhold 95% or more of my bird and wildlife shots, and no flash or other gear was used.

Inspiration

On this day, I arrived at the park early afternoon. I checked the tower, the marsh and the boardwalk. I then decided to cross the street and check the other half of the park. I discovered a group of red headed woodpeckers, first ones I had seen in 50 years. After photographing them, I continued on the trail. I noticed a sandhill crane in the brush and the marsh. Getting photos of the crane and not the brush was a real task. Much to my surprise, it walked onto the open path not more than 50 feet away. As a responsible birder, I froze, as we looked each other over. Surprise 2 was when his mate come out as well. They were unconcerned about my presence, so I followed them for at least and hour, carefully photographing as I went. When they came to this spot to feed, the way they blended in with the marsh, and the reflections in the open water

Editing

I really didn't do an awful lot of post processing. I brought out some details by adjusting exposure, vibrance, and a bump in saturation. The last step was a touch of sharpening.

In my camera bag

When I do my birding and nature hikes, I use a camera vest. I typically have The Canon 5d Mark IV with the Tamron 150-600 on one strap, and my Canon 5d Mark III on the other strap. This camera, I may vary what lens I start out with. Most times I have a Canon 100mm 2.8 macro on. My second choice is my Canon 16-35mm 2.8 zoom. In the vest itself, I always carry a Tamron 24-70 2.8, and a Sigma 150mm macro 2.8, plus whichever lens I didn't put on the Mark III. Depending on the area I'm hiking, I may carry my Canon 8-15 mm fisheye, my Tamron 70-200mm 2.8, or my Tamron 65mm macro. I do have other lenses, those typically stay in the truck. Also in my vest, I carry extra batteries, extra cards, cell phone, and other supplies as needed. I rarely use a tripod, but there are times I carry a tripod with a gimbal head if I think it will be worth the weight.

Feedback

My best advice is take your time. Walk slow and deliberately. Be observant with all your senses, sight and sound especially. Look for small creatures, not just large ones. Be observant, watch the bird or animals behavior and if they react to your presence. If so, then you may just have to back off and shoot from a longer range. Sometimes, the shot just makes itself, you just have to put yourself in a situation to be ready to capture. And lastly, patience. I walked with this pair for an hour. When they walked in this marsh, with the reflections, and the way their color interacted with the environment, my eyes just light up. A shot like this makes an hours long hike worthwhile.

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Sandhill Crane Reflection

I was hiking at Heron County Park near Danville IL. I followed this pair respectfully for over and hour. I captured this photo of them feeding at the edge of ... Read more

Behind The Lens

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I was hiking at Heron County Park near Danville IL. I followed this pair respectfully for over and hour. I captured this photo of them feeding at the edge of ...
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.