Really got to enjoy my day off Returned to Sandy Ridge Reservation early AM to see what has changed in the last several weeks. It was wonderful again, mainly had hoped to photograph a Green Heron that was evasive last time out. Much to my surprise I saw him first thing but quickly moved out of sight. Shortly later I engaged in conversation with some other birders and I brought up the Green Heron and then low and behold he appeared from nowhere and we(the four of us) were silenced and each began enjoying the behavior.

This guy landed quite close and I had already mounted the1.4 TC on the 400 5.6L. These shots are tight full frame shots, I was afraid he was going to get too close and had to be careful in the framing. My hat is off to the incredible job Dave in LA does on these, I was thinking of him at this opportunity This Heron was unphased with our presence, stealth like precision weaved through the tangles and snatched fat tadpoles before us....amazing to watch

Canon 40D w/400 5.6L w/Tamron cheapie 1.4x TC @ISO's of 800-1600 manual focus off a monopod on my knees.....

C&C always welcomed and encouraged

Hope you enjoy........Karl

1 magical appearance
2 on the hunt
3 fat tadpole for quick snack


Edited by Karl Witt on May 08, 2008 at 07:58 AM GMT

More entertainment

4 looking pretty
5 a full glimpse
6 on the prowl again

7 just around the corner
8 spotted another snack
9 ahh good stuff

10 where to next
11 my territory........til next time

Karl! Very nice series. Wow you sure got that guys number. There's more coming? Can't wait. I ain't pickin, like too many.

Tim

Hey Karl you struck pay dirt. These are really neat. Looks like s/he is going to walk right up to ya. Great series!

Terry

Wow pretty cool to get what you ask for. Great shots, I like the way you filled the frame with the last one.

Wonderful series Karl

Boy you've been getting some very nice stuff of late.

Congratulations, so where is it you live again....... Guess I have to move.

Lil

Karl it's always amazing to see how much detail the prime holds w a tc attached!
Well done on these,specially considering they're on Mf I know how hard it can be, i've been Mf for months now
sure it's nice to get what you wish for
I like the last 1 the most.

Very nice series Karl. They look funny when they stretch their necks

Great series and narration Karl, I enjoyed them

Very nice Mr Witt !! Super color / sharpness / and PP . You've really done a great job on these. But we didn't expect anything other than perfect from someone of your status

I am wondering if Dave is PMing you advice on how to find and photograph these guys......

Anthony

Tim Kuhn wrote:
Karl! Very nice series. Wow you sure got that guys number. There's more coming? Can't wait. I ain't pickin, like too many.
Tim
Thanks Tim, he just put on a show for us and I happen to be in the right spot to seemost of it. It was cool to see him methodically weave through the sticks and stop and snatch a snack. More coming of other sightings from say day out

Terry D wrote:
Hey Karl you struck pay dirt. These are really neat. Looks like s/he is going to walk right up to ya. Great series!
Terry
Thanks Terry, he basically did walk right toward us, couldn't believe he did not get spooked, must have had a focused hunger to satisfy


Rob Tillyer wrote:
Wow pretty cool to get what you ask for. Great shots, I like the way you filled the frame with the last one.
Appreciated Rob, had no choice on frame filling, almost ran out of room I am thankful to have gotten what I asked for, but I am asking for a 500mm now

Comments greatly appreciated, thanks
Karl

Lil Judd wrote:
Wonderful series Karl

Boy you've been getting some very nice stuff of late.
Congratulations, so where is it you live again....... Guess I have to move.
Lil
Thanks Lil, reminds me of all the goodies hanging around your hut You can come visit anytime...........appreciated

Nello Milanese wrote:
Karl it's always amazing to see how much detail the prime holds w a tc attached!
Well done on these,specially considering they're on Mf I know how hard it can be, i've been Mf for months now
sure it's nice to get what you wish for
I like the last 1 the most.
Thank you Nello, only problem with the MF was a little tough for me to varify focus but didn't lose too many...........thankfully Am very happy with TC results, just hate to lose the light and f/stops.

Lars Johnsson wrote:
Very nice series Karl. They look funny when they stretch their necks
Lars, they can draw that neck back and extend it quite a bit to grab dinner Very enjoyable to watch the habits on this one............Thanks

Thanks much.........
Karl

Nice set!

What an beaky looking bird..I enjoyed the story line also

.
Guy

Nice series, could be titled "a day in the life", of a heron of course.

Very nice set Karl. I like #2, 5, 7 and 10 in this set.

Karl, these are excellent. All show wonderful detail, great color and interest. I especially like Mr. Fluff

Karl, how could you photograph Dave’s Green Heron without his permission? Great set Karl. My favorites are #5, #7 and #11.
Jude

Very nice set, Karl, made more interesting by you commentay. Excellent job with that combo getting very good exposures and sharp detail. Good lighting and natural looking colors as well. The last shot is my favorite.
Socrate

Great series Karl ! and Mf to boot, wow !

You know you've struck gold when you're TOO CLOSE to a heron ! (of any colour never mind green)

Andy

Neat set, Karl!
Susan

walshy64 wrote:
Nice set!
What an beaky looking bird..I enjoyed the story line also
Guy

Glad to have shared the bird and the story with you, that beak serves him very well in his the environment

reko wrote:
Nice series, could be titled "a day in the life", of a heron of course.

Reko, this one of those times that I wish I had done video also, very interesting to watch his habits

Herb Houghton wrote:
Very nice set Karl. I like #2, 5, 7 and 10 in this set.
Thanks Herb, didn't want you to think you were having all the fun shooting Glad there was a few to catch your eye, thanks again.

MaggieBee wrote:
Karl, these are excellent. All show wonderful detail, great color and interest. I especially like Mr. Fluff
Had one more of Mr Fluff but he hid his head on it Thanks for your kind comments Maggie

Thanks !
Karl

Wonderful collection of different poses Karl, great color and detail throughout. I like 5 and 11 the best, but all are extremely well done.

Doug

You are getting alot of great shots of these guys Karl... #10 is my pick. Well done.