Egrets & Kingfishers...

[jprzybyla]

I shot these this morning. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Belted Kingfisher

#1



#2



#3



Great Egret

#1



#2

[orlcam88]

I really like the Great Egret shots. I haven't been so lucky to get a shot of them. They don't let you get too close (even with 400 zoom).
The Belted Kingfisher are interesting birds. Their beaks are almost as large as their body. Were these cropped in? It looks it was. It needs the brightness turned down and some sharpness added. The 3rd one of these is the better of them.

[terrib]

This wasn't you, was it? Nat Geo Page. My son-in-law sent this to me this morning.

I like the Kingfisher #3 because the color seems better and it's sharper. I like #2 on the egret just because the pose looks so graceful. They are all great shots.

[Crabbe]

I vote for Kingfisher #2 - he is scruffy and Egret #2 for the pose and the eye. It caught mine!
C.Crabbe

[Andrew1]

I don't have the knack to get the bird shots like you do. Great exposure and DOF.

[jprzybyla]

I really like the Great Egret shots. I haven't been so lucky to get a shot of them. They don't let you get too close (even with 400 zoom).
The Belted Kingfisher are interesting birds. Their beaks are almost as large as their body. Were these cropped in? It looks it was. It needs the brightness turned down and some sharpness added. The 3rd one of these is the better of them.

Hello Orlando, thank you for viewing and commenting. In central Florida where I live there are wildlife reserves where the year round resident birds become accustomed to seeing people. The egret in the images above took off and flew across the wetland dike I was on about 50 feet away. I got off several frames of it in flight before it was flying away. The kingfisher is a large crop, a small bird that was about 100 feet away. The images above are a hurried post processing so that I could post them, more work needs to be done and selecting the best from many images I shot of it.

[jprzybyla]

This wasn't you, was it? Nat Geo Page. My son-in-law sent this to me this morning.

I like the Kingfisher #3 because the color seems better and it's sharper. I like #2 on the egret just because the pose looks so graceful. They are all great shots.

Hi Terri, in answer to your question... no that wasn't me. I am too old and lazy to go to that extreme but I can admire the dedication of a person who would do that. I walk around the nature reserves and refuges in Florida and photograph whatever is available. The wonder of Florida is that most birds that are residents year round become accustomed to seeing people, so camoflage and stealth is not needed. My zoom lens only goes up to 300mm, 450mm full frame equivalent. Camera and lens are very light and easy to carry and hold steady without a tripod. A tripod would not work for me as I am as likely to shoot a bird in flight or one perched on a branch.

[jprzybyla]

I vote for Kingfisher #2 - he is scruffy and Egret #2 for the pose and the eye. It caught mine!
C.Crabbe

Thanks Charly, I apreciate your taking time to look and comment. The Eastern Shore, I have a brother that lives in Eden, Maryland. Before moving to Florida I used to go the Salisbury and Eden, Maryland to visit him. I also have played a lot of golf around Ocean City.

[jprzybyla]

I don't have the knack to get the bird shots like you do. Great exposure and DOF.

Thanks Andrew, I appreciate you viewing and commenting. Birds in flight just takes a very fast shutter speed and a little practice to keep it centered in the viewfinder. The more one does it, the easier it is.

[Cantab]

Kingfisher #2 is a good head on portrait. The advantage of #1 is that the bird's pose gives a view of its side. Congratulations on all the shots. I've yet to get a kingfisher photo anywhere near as good as yours.

[Bobobird]

Great shots. I am envious of the kingfisher shots - have never ever managed to get close enough.

The NG guy must be feeding/baiting or the bird is a prop - no way these guys are going to let anyone get that close (and have someone else take a shot from the other side - no way).

[davidedric]

All great shots again. The kingfisher ones do it for me, especially #2 because the out of focus green background really brings out the colours.

[Brownbear]

All beautiful shots. I love the egrets in flight!