rolandoyera

Blue Heron

Heron enjoying his tasty lunch.

Heron enjoying his tasty lunch.
Read less

Canon EOS R

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 320 Shutter 1/1250 Focal Length 451/1

location

Cleveland, Ohio, US

upload_date

Jul, 2020

Views

364

Likes

+36

Awards

Zenith Award

Curator's Selection

Top Shot Award 21

Spring 21 Award

Legendary Award

People's Choice in Wildlife animal Photo Challenge

Top Choice

+19

Absolute Masterpiece

+13

Peer Award

Outstanding Creativity

Superb Composition

Magnificent Capture

Superior Skill

All Star

Emotions

Impressed

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank week 2

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken at a 90 acre marsh and reserve in Northeast Ohio, Sandy Ridge Reservation. Several dozen Heron's can be found here except during winter migration.

Time

Under a burlap blanket, I hid at the end of the marsh where a big patch of lily pads were growing. I chose this section knowing the Herons sometimes look for breakfast here. I got into position about 6:45am and after a couple of hours of waiting, was getting ready to call it quits. At roughly 9:00am the Heron flew into position and luckily the sun was not extremely harsh at this hour. This fish was one of 3 he caught that morning within a 20 minute time span. A hardy breakfast indeed.

Lighting

Sunrise and sunset are always the best time for outdoor photos, but with wildlife, sometimes, those hours have to be extended. As with this photo, I was ready at sunrise, the Heron was not. That being said, early morning and late afternoon sunlight works also, as the sun is not directly overhead. The atmosphere absorbs light and heat so when the sun is directly above, there's less atmosphere to absorb the sunlight. Photo's are almost never flattering during this time, casting extremely harsh shadows on the subject and putting your camera's dynamic range into overdrive. Usually blowing out specular highlights on white birds.

Equipment

The image was captured on a Canon EOS R with the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens. This was handheld while I was lying on the ground so no tripod was used.

Inspiration

My inspiration comes from connecting with nature. There's something that's indescribable about photographing wildlife. The connection with nature becomes more powerful as you get to learn the animals habits and quirks. Not to mention, wildlife photography can be extremely challenging. All of the conditions and subjects are out of control except where and what you photograph. When everything lines up it's extremely exciting.

Editing

I usually take way too much time post-processing my images. Pushing and pulling shadows and highlights, getting the saturation just right, careful, not too much. Changing some of the color hues a little, you know where I'm coming from. This set of images were near perfect, arguably. Some corrections to contrast due to the RAW file and and little bit of vibrance. That's all it took.

In my camera bag

As my favorite photographer, Mark Smith, always says, "Walk softly and carry a big lens". I carry 3 long lenses in my bag at all times, the Canon RF 70-200mm f2.8, Canon EF 400mm f5.6 and as of late, the new RF 800mm f11. Yes, that's right, f11!

Feedback

If you don't know your subject, the likelihood of capturing the essence of that subject in a photo is unlikely. If you love a type of photography, the subject should be studied and loved. If you don't love birds, the amount of time that's needed to study and capture them correctly will not be spent. Your images will suffer for it.

See more amazing photos, follow rolandoyera

rolandoyera

rolandoyera

Blue Heron

Heron enjoying his tasty lunch.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow rolandoyera

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

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