I captured this bird today with a 500mm f/4 IS, handheld. It's the closest I've ever been able to sneak up on one of these birds. Usually they fly away from me or I get tiny images from afar. I finally covered up the white lens with camouflage and I think that helped to keep from spooking this shy bird. I've also noticed that getting the exposure right is tough. I'm getting the hang of it but I certainly could use more tips. I'd like feedback on this image - does the exposure look correct? Other comments? Some tips on getting good exposure of birds in water or in the sky would be helpful too. I've tried many methods but still find exposure to be hit and miss. If I let the camera do what it wants I get underexposed birds and if I adjust it manually based on what I see on the histogram that often leads to overexposure.
Also, is this an Egret? I think it is but I'm not certain of it.
Lil Judd wrote:
MxCat is right - - it's a GBH (Great Blue Heron). Very nice shot.
Lil :-)
Ah, yes, of course, Heron. Thanks. I'm going to try and catch him again today and see if I can get away with using some fill flash and not scare him off.
Here is another version of the GBH. I would like opinions on which you favor. On the original shot I think the white balance is a little wonky, but maybe that's ok for this shot. But this image has a corrected white balance just for comparison
I think I like the second one. The water's a little too gray in the first one, in the second it might have a hair too much cyan. At least on my monitor, but you know how that goes :0
