Great Blue
Great blue heron returning with brach to help with nest building
Great blue heron returning with brach to help with nest building
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Dec, 2017Views
228
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Awards
Winner in Game Birds and Waterfowl Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Genius
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankCategories
Platinum
p_eileenbaltz
February 27, 2018
Stunning detail!!! Congratulations on your well-deserved Challenge Win.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Florida. The wetlands were constructed on what was previously a wastewater utility property. So its nice to see something so beautiful come about where something so ugly had been.Time
This photo was taken during the day when the sun really isn't your friend.Lighting
The main thing you want to keep and mind is to set yourself up with the sun behind you. Even though the lighting may be harsh you can still get away with some nice nature shots depending on the subject.Equipment
I used the Canon 7D mark II with the Tamron 150-600mm lens. I absolutely love this lens. I feel Tamron really nailed it with this product. Great focal length and very crisp images, Also I have no problem hand holding it as I wouldn't consider it THAT big. The 7D I use whenever I am out looking to photograph wildlife mainly due to the speed.Inspiration
This was taken during the mating season where the male Great Blue Heron makes his runs looking for twigs and stick to help with the nest buildingEditing
Just some slight touchups were done in Lightroom just to make sure it was bright and colorful the way I saw himIn my camera bag
If I am out looking for wildlife I carry the Canon 7D Mark II mainly for the speed of this camera. If I am going to shoot landscape I carry the Canon 5D Mark III mainly for the full frame sensor. I love both cameras equally just really depends on the subjectFeedback
The only advice I can give is to really enjoy the moment and watch the animal you are looking to photograph. Don't just whip out your camera the minute you get there and fire away. Watch his behavior. Try to anticipate his next moves. This way you can hopefully put yourself in a position to be successful. I watched as this male kept flying over the water to a certain spot to look for his sticks. So I position myself with the sun behind but his mode of travel in front. When I saw him have the stick and walk to the waters edge I knew to get ready. Make sure all your setting are set before hand. The nice thing with this bird is that he is big and graceful, not a fast flyer like a hawk or a falcon. So getting an image is much easier. Its all about the baby steps. Next time we go for the falcon !
