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Squacco Heron


Squacco Heron
Photo Information
Copyright: James Parker (Jamesp) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13404)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds MkII, Canon EF 300mm f2.8 USM IS
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/800 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-04 8:22
Viewed: 274
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I saw two Squacco Herons in the delt and was lucky to get this one as it took flight. The light was quite harsh.

Taken with my 300mm 2.8 + 1.4x converter.

The Squacco Heron, Ardeola ralloides, is a small heron, 40-49 cm long with 82-95 cm wingspan. It is of Old World origins, breeding in southern Europe and the Greater Middle East. It is a migrant, wintering in Africa. It is rare north of its breeding range.

This is a stocky species with a short neck, short thick bill and buff-brown back. In summer, adults have long neck feathers. Its appearance is transformed in flight, when it looks very white due to the colour of the wings.

Their breeding habitat is marshy wetlands in warm countries. They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-4 eggs are laid.

These herons feed on insects, fish and amphibians.
uleko, jaycee, pekkavalo1, marhowie, nglen, Gert-Paassen, maurydv, Evelynn, goldyrs, CeltickRanger, Alex99, boreocypriensis, rcrick, haraprasan, vanderschelden has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To uleko: Best timeJamesp 1 07-04 09:04
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2340 W: 164 N: 7010] (22194)
  • [2008-07-04 8:53]
  • [+]

Hello James,
In spite of the harsh light it is a very fine view of the Squacco Heron taking off. I like the sharp focus on the eye and the details of the nearest wing are very beautiful. Well done! I wonder what the greens in the water are? I find it very interesting to follow your visit to the Danube Delta as we've thought about going there. Is this the best time to go or can you go earlier?
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1657 W: 8 N: 4252] (13851)
  • [2008-07-04 9:16]

Hi Neighbor,

Great timing to capture this Heron just as he was about to take off. I love the wing positions. Excellent details of the one wing and the face. What is all that stuff in the water?

Jane

Hello James
Here is a Heron that is totally new to me....I love the wings spread as he is close to getting airborne...The light is a little harsh as you say but you have exposed it very well indeed...Superb sharp details also.
A very good weekend to you James
Paul

Hi James,

Very good result in badly back lit conditions. Good sharpness of details, eye contact and nice BG.

TFS

Pekka

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1872 W: 2 N: 5040] (19298)
  • [2008-07-04 12:38]

Hi James. I was just thinking it looked a stocky bird. It loo kas if it could do with bigger wings. You have captured a good close up with the bright light you had to deal with. Good detail and natural colours. well done TFS.
Nick..
Have a nice Weekend.

Hi James,

Very good composition with a good pose from the bird.
Nice framed picture.

Gert

Ottimo momento di cattura di questa sgarza ciuffetto, ottimo POV, molto bella la composizione che mostra l'ambiente preferito da questo airone per la sua "pesca" delle prede, molto buona la nitidezza, molto belli i colori e il contrasto di luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-07-04 15:09]

Hi James,
another great shot of a Heron :-)
The pose is superb.
Superb composition.
Great sharpness.

Well done!

Joe

Hi James, lovely "action"shot, great bit of timing to get this, the colours are spot on, and you ahce also captured the water so well. Excellent control of the camera...regards h

Hi James,
Yes the light is harsh but you managed quite a bit of detail in the light wings. It's a great action shot with the subject nicely placed within the frame.

TFS
Evelynn : )

The timing is perfect, the sharpness precise and the exposure perfect!
Very well done, James!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2974 W: 148 N: 4396] (14263)
  • [2008-07-04 23:15]

Hi, my friend.
Impressive pictured moment and superb timing. I welcome excellent wide DOF and brilliant exposure of the image. Details of all scene are razor sharp. Well done and TFS.
Alexei.

Hi James,
A lovely and perfect shot of this heron species with lovely details. TFS. Have a nice weekend my friend!
Cheers,
Bayram

Hi James,

Looks like you had a battle with some harsh light here but the effect that its created is just stunning, the light coming though the wings has produced some amazing detail, and the effect on the (Lilly)? Covered pond is just amazing just so crisp and sharp, really like this one, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

Hi James,
A nice capture of this heron. Very good details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Well done, James.
Good moment. Captured in its habitat.
TFS
Annick

hello James

excellent shot of this heron, with very fine POV, DOF
and framing, i love his pose with the wings open like a V,
great light on the wings, and excellent sharpness and details
of the heron,

TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 815 W: 4 N: 2028] (9554)
  • [2008-07-06 4:52]

Hello James, Is the bird having difficult to come out of the situation? Looks like and the expression has been shot beautifully. Well done and thanks for sharing this. Ganesh

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