(1/1250 sec @ f/7.1; ISO 400; 0 EV)
My wife and I took a trip down to the North Shore area of the New Jersey coast this morning. We covered the inland lakes from Little Silver Lake in Point Pleasant Beach up to Fletcher Lake in Bradley Beach. For those of you unfamiliar with the area (which would probably be most of you), these lake are so close to the ocean that you can practically spit from one to the other. In most cases, it is ocean, beach, small boardwalk, street, lake. Anyway, these lakes are winter home to a wide variety of ducks, cormorants, herons and such.
This particular Great Blue Heron seems to have taken up residence along Fletcher Lake in Bradley Beach. I saw him there last weekend with another photographer getting close-up after close-up. Today was my turn. I was able to ease up to about 8-10 feet of him and get my shots while resting the camera on the back of a park bench. What you see here is a full frame image (no cropping) from my Canon 50D and 300mm f/2.8L IS lens with a 2x TC. I was able to get way up close and personal with this guy.
Wonderful image Ed! You were fortunate to be able to get so close. These guys always seem very skittish when I’ve photographed them.
Wow…up close and personal is perfect! Sensational shot!
Wonderful Heron portrait, Ed. I like the details in the feathers and the background which evokes a feeling of movement. It must’ve been wonderful experience to be so close.
A great shot, Ed. This is the best close up look I have ever had of a heron.
Really nice portrait, Ed! I especially love the horizontal banding in the BG against the vertical plumage of the bird. Very nice!
What a shot! I’m envious. I’ve not been able to get close enough for a good shot of one of them.
Wunnaful, jez wunnaful! They are hard to shoot here in Maine as they ware quite wary if approached. They are also gone now, migrated. So, there’s a limited window to get them. Nice work.
Great work Ed, the detail in this is amazing, well done !!
I agree with Jules. Love the detail on the bird and the blurred BG. Lovely colors.
Wow this is a fantastic portrait Ed. Congrats!