As I occasionally do I went archive-diving last night and ran across a series of Snowy Egret photos I like that I’ve never posted on Feathered Photography. Some of my inexperience in those days may show in the images but I still enjoy them and of course the reminiscing.
1/2000, f/11, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The egret caught several fish at Bear River MBR and because I was quite close to the bird I went to f/11. I think in this case it worked out well but today I’d probably have been at f/7.1. Maybe I was thinking it might take off and I could use the extra depth of field but that didn’t make sense because I was far too close to the bird for typical takeoff or flight shots with the wings out. It may have been a decision based on inexperience but it was so long ago (9-2-08) I can’t remember my thought process. If there was one.
I was so close to the long-legged egret I was shooting vertically and it’s a damn good thing I was because otherwise…
1/1600, f/11, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I’d certainly have butchered those wings when it lifted them straight up just prior to takeoff from the rock in the water.
1/2000, f/11, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 Extender, not baited, set up or called in
And then I lucked out a second time when the next shot in the burst caught the wings in this interesting position instead of sticking out horizontally where I’d have cut them off. In this case the slow burst rate of my old Canon 40D (6 frames/sec compared to 10 frames/sec for my current 7DII) paid dividends because the timing was just right to catch these two wing positions. If the wings in either or both shots had been mostly horizontal I’d have been SOL.
I think the reason I never posted these photos in the past is because looking at the full frame preview images I can see no light in the eyes in the last two shots. But when I cropped and processed them last night I could see that the bulging corneas of the egret caught enough sidelight and eye color to make them acceptable for my tastes.
I probably lucked out a third time when I didn’t delete the last two shots.
Besides, over the years I’ve become a little more flexible about light in the eye if the image has compensating strengths. Some of that flexibility came from feedback from my blog followers for which I’m appreciative.
My readers rock.
Ron
PS – If you’re interested in seeing this egret with one of the fish it caught on this morning some photos of it can be seen here. The fish turned out to be an invasive weather loach and it was my investigations of those photos that eventually allowed me to identify the fish species and document their presence in Utah (with the vital assistance of Justina Bernstein and Utah DWR). That post was one of my earliest editions of Feathered Photography so it didn’t get a lot of attention at the time.
I’d say “difficult to photograph well” is understating it by at least half! You’ve posted countless examples of what would be impossible images for us mere mortals.
Stunning take off.
Fantastic pictures! I enjoy your pictures and commentary so much even though I seldom post anything.
Thanks, Susan. No need to comment unless you feel like it, for whatever reason.
Archives, recent photos, it’s all good (great, actually). Really nice sequence.
Thanks very much, Lyle.
I really love egrets. They are common where I grew up. Still I can’t see them enough. Gorgeous
Thank you, Arwen.
HOLY COW! That second shot! WOWZA-AND-A-HALF!!! Absofreakinlutely amazing! (Insert superlative-of-your-choice here.)
I’m so glad you saved these, found them again, and decided to share them today. We’re fortunate that several Snowy Egrets stick around the regional park and our nearby wetlands all year, so I never know when I’ll be lucky enough to cross paths with their beauty.
That second shot feels your love, Marty. Isn’t it interesting how preferences and tastes are different from person to person – most folks seem to prefer the third photo.
Well, you know I’m a bit of an odd duck (or maybe an old buzzard?). 😉 I do like the unusual wing position in shot 3. That being said, I’m a total sucker for the “wing fling” right before a takeoff downstroke.
Very nice. Glad you saved the shots. Maybe it is the novice in me but I would have used a f8 to f11 to get more depth of field with the head on, in case the bird bird took off. My telephoto only goes to f7.1 when extended to the full 400mm which is where I usually shoot for side view birds unless I am aiming for more depth with multiple birds. Then my go to number is f11. I like f8 and f9 for flight so more of the bird is in focus with depth of field being an issue on leading wing parts.
I had to laugh at the “farting fish” when I read your old post about the loach.
Thanks, April. After time we all sort of settle on our “go to” settings for certain situations but those settings can have dramatically different results with different lenses at different focal lengths.
LOVE those balletic (and completely improbable) poses.
And was fascinated to go back to your earlier post too.
How I would love to trawl through your archives…
My archives may not be as interesting as you might think, EC. I save a lot more (mediocre) photos than I should.
I suspect your definition of mediocre and mine are quantum leaps apart.
My favorite part of the wings down shot is that it catches exactly the moment when the bird’s posture appears highly improbable…if not entirely impossible. Your postings are always impressive by how consistently and clearly they highlight just how athletic and acrobatic birds have evolved to be.
Jim, as you probably realize I love to feature the athletic ability of birds in my photos – because it’s so very impressive but also because it’s usually difficult to photograph well.
Those are nice photos. I never see those birds around my area. Love the white birds and beautiful lift off pictures.
Thank you, Trudy.
Gorgeous photos! Beautifully framed and caught at just the right instant. Egrets are so lovely and Snowies are my favorite (at the moment)! I love to watch them “running-hopping” through the shallow water after fish. Thanks
Yes, the fishing technique you describe is certainly entertaining. And they’re so incredibly fast when they do it. Thanks, Joanne.
This is a gorgeous series of a gorgeous bird. I like the unusual wing positions, especially the down ones. Your reminiscing has made me do some of my own. Ten years ago I was a newlywed – married just over a month. That has really been (and continues to be) my adventure of a lifetime. I don’t remember how I found Feathered Photography, but it has become part of that adventure, enriching my life greatly.
Your last sentence means a lot to me, Susan. Thank you.
Beautiful! Things certainly “worked” to not chop the wings which could have easily happened…..;) Both 2 & 3 are gorgeous tho guess I’m partial to 3 🙂 The invasive species do provide some grub BUT the birds will never clean them all out. “Big birds” and Koi are NOT a good mix Kathy! I’ve lucked out on that so far but only have a couple and lots of water lily cover.
Judy…imagine my surprise looking out the window and catching ‘Big Blue’ with one of the 18″ Koi in it’e bill! It had gotten to a few others before I startled him. He was sneaky though…I sat out later in a secluded corner waiting. He had sneaked up the back of the hill and was watching me look for him! 😀
Yikes! They aren’t stupid for sure!
“The invasive species do provide some grub BUT the birds will never clean them all out”
That’s right, Judy – we can count on that. Thanks.
LOVE today’s blog, Ron!! This is one bird I get to see & photograph & they are so beautiful – especially during mating season. All three of your captures are beautiful to me – especially the 3rd capture – the wing position is just spectacular!!
Thanks very much, Jo Ann.
Excellent and interesting post Ron. Yes, definitely good that you were shooting vertically. Photos are beautiful even without that perfect light in the eyes that we all so desire. Love that last photo. Looks angelic – like he was sent down from heaven just to provide you with these great shots, and then was going to just rise up and disappear into the clouds. In all my twelve years here taking photos I have seen hundreds of Great Egrets, but have only seen Snowy Egrets twice.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott, AZ.
Thanks, Everett. Great Egrets are much less common around here.
Great post! Love those take-offs. I kept going back to the first photo though; as I looked, something didn’t sit right with me and then I realized I was not looking at a Great White. One assumes they are all the same until the difference registers. Strange how the bill and feet are reversed for the Snowy and the Great White…it certainly played with my mind. I was out recently taking pictures of Blue Herons, Cattle Egrets and the Great Whites before they depart for the season. Looking at the previous post you referenced of the Egret with the invasive fish, my mind went back to last summer when a Great Blue visited on the patio and helped himself to my Koi. I suppose one could consider the birds as a partner for invasive species control. Have the Loaches become a serious problem?
Kathy, the loaches appear to be spreading to different waterways but as far as I know there are no reports of them being a serious problem. Yet…
Funny you should post this Ron, because most of my time in the field has been photographing the local vagrant herons and egrets, including a Snowy. Great shots, and as per usual thanks for convincing me to go back into the field. Also, the background in those shots are amazing.
Thanks, Xavier. I’m glad you’re back at it!