2016-04-15 Los Alamitos Bay-201
Green Heron on the hunt.
Green Heron on the hunt.
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May, 2016Views
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TimoDahlgrenPhotography
Apr 04
Superb! Great composition and colors. Fine use of the Rule of thirds!
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this image at Alamitos Bay in Long Beach California at the boat harbor; and was walking up and down the docks looking for something interesting to photograph. I saw this Green Heron walking along the dock looking down into the water for any easy meals swimming by when it hopped up on the rope and began walking down it and stopped. I took the shot of this Heron just after something caught its attention. The background is the hull of the boat that is also blue which makes the bird stand out. I wish I could say I planned all this and waited for the right moment but it was just being at the right place at the right time and taking the photo. I really didn't know what I had until I got it in lightroom and I was very happy with it. I did take more images of this little guy actually lowering itself over the side to get close enough to grab a fish but this was the best of the images I took.Time
This was I believe early afternoon judging by the shadowsLighting
No not really, it was a mid day sun on a fairly clear day.Equipment
Here I was using a Nikon D5100 with the 18-55mm kit lens hand held and used a faster shutter speed in case it took off.Inspiration
The Green Heron is a beautiful bird and not usually seen during this time of day. Herons are one of my favorites to photographEditing
Yes I shoot raw only so there was some processing in lightroom done to bring out the colors and it was cropped. The image was taken in bright sunlight so the raw image needed some processing.In my camera bag
Now I have a Nikon D7200 and usually carry with me a Tamron 10-24mm, Nikon 55-300mm. I'm going to be adding or replacing the 55-300 with a Nikon 70-200 and either the Nikon 200-500 or Tamron 100-400 as I'm photographing landscapes more and interested in larger animals that will require more distance between them and myself. I'll be moving to Colorado in a couple months so the possibilities for wildlife will demand a longer focal length lens.Feedback
This image, if I were to get a chance to do it all over again, I would use a slower shutter speed than the 1/1600th I used. There was bright hazy mid day sunshine that made the dock bright with a blue boat hull in the background. The bird was not stressed and was more concerned with any fish swimming close enough to catch, so I did have time to lower my shutter speed more than 2 stops and I think I would have had a good image as well. I was worried it was going to take off and not have time to increase my shutter speed, but my shutter speed used did not adversely affect my shot. This was a shot of opportunity and not one I planned. I just set my camera on shutter priority and tried to get a good composition. My advice, know the camera inside and out and know the species your trying to capture and be patient. Also be ready for the unexpected opportunity's
