This White Heron photo was made back in late April ’11 at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, on the Outer Banks, NC. The background compression gives away it being shot at a fairly long 300 mm focal length — visitor boardwalks limit closer access. I’d just taken a couple of photos of this same heron wading through the shallows and in half a heart beat it cleared the water and was under wing — you can still see the waves where it’s legs were lifted.
One thing I like about this image is it captured some white reflections from the in-flight heron in the water below it.
I think it’s a marvelous capture of this bird in flight and the effect of lifting itself off the water.
Fine image.
Hi Don and thanks. I hope you’re doing well.
Another outstanding shot. Wow. I had noticed the reflection the moment I saw the picture. That is a wonderful bonus here. The trees near the top at land’s edge seem to echo the bird’s wings and perfectly balance this for me.
Thanks, Anita. I didn’t notice the reflection until I downloaded the image to my computer…a pleasant surprise. Glad you like it.
Are you doing all your blog reading on your new iPad now? :-)
I’m finding these white egrets all around this lake at our apartments. I counted 12 of them the other morning. Must be some good fishing. They are a majestic bird, graceful in flight. But, they sure do keep the distance. I also like the reflection especially against the blue water. Looks like a good lift off.
Monte, yes they are very wary of people. Thanks!
Nicely timed capture Earl. I agree with the others, the reflection is a nice touch.
Just a curiosity since I noticed this while scrolling the page – what do you think of the image with the top blue water cropped out?
Mark, thanks!
Prior to the image being posted here I would have told you I liked that blue water at the top, but having a chance to compare it to a crop of the image on the home page image slider I’m starting to think it’s better without.
As a side, the home page sliders are a 3:1 aspect and there have a number of times when they’ve seem to have as much and more impact then the original image. I don’t know quite what to make of it or how to react — 3:1 is kind of a severe aspect. Any opinions?
Well, I think there could be a number of things working for the 3:1 crop. Mine isn’t as severe, it is some odd ratio like 2.134:1. :-). But I have noticed even for mine, I am cropping to get as many of the key features of the image visible. I think this cropping can help eliminate portions of the image that are perhaps not as important, making the composition have more impact. The other thing is that I think panoramic formats can just have more appeal in general.
When in those cases I notice greater impact with these odd ratios it causes me to reconsider the cropping of the original image. Reconsidering in itself is good, but I don’t know I’d want many of my photos cropped to 3:1, yet we do strive for impact. :-)
What can I say? This is simply beautiful!!
Amber, thank you so much!