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Egret in Flight
Egret in Flight
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Mar, 2017Views
566
Likes
Awards
Winner in Birds in Flight - Sharp Shots Only Please Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I captured this shot on a dock at the north side of Lake Istokpoga, near Lorida, Florida.Time
The photo was taken late morning. I arrived early hoping to catch an eagle or osprey at breakfast time. No luck there so I was ready to call it a day when I spotted this Egret lurking in the weeds. Then, sure enough, he speared a snake. I missed that shot but stayed on him until he took flight and flew right past me. It was somewhere near 11:00AM.Lighting
I don’t recall anything exceptional regarding lighting. However, normally in the lighting conditions of that day I usually meter for my subject 1/2-1 stop over from the anticipated background.Equipment
I thought that I might be filming so I took my Canon EOS 70D. I was shooting hand held with a Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM. The shot was taken at its full 400mm length with no flash.Inspiration
I love the gracefulness of the Egret. It is amazing how streamline he becomes in flight, tucking in its long neck and dangling those long legs behind. Truly, nature’s beauty at work.Editing
The only post-processing I recall doing was bumping up shadows and tinting the water to the bluer side of green. It was an overcast sky so the lake appeared more to the green side of blue.In my camera bag
My go-to camera for wildlife is the Canon 7D MK II. For stills I love my 5D MK III. My favorite lens is the Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS II USM. I also go to my Canon 24-70mm L for more wide-angle shots.Feedback
When shooting wildlife you want to always be ready so keep focused on your metering and the changing light. Are you shooting against the sky, water or land. In which direction do you need to compensate? So when the action hits the closer you are to the correct metering the quicker you can adjust. You always want to nail the metering in camera to get the perfect photo without post-processing. Use as fast of a shutter-speed as you can and find all the patience you can muster. Practice, practice, practice.
