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Down it Goes...


Down it Goes...
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-31
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/250 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-09-03 19:26
Viewed: 369
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
The follow up of my last post, the Green Heron is now swallowing the frog.

From Cornell:

A small, stocky wading bird, the Green Heron is common in wet spots across much of North America. It can be difficult to see as it stands motionless waiting for small fish to approach within striking range, but it frequently announces its presence by its loud squawking.
The Green Heron is one of the few tool-using birds. It commonly drops bait onto the surface of the water and grabs the small fish that are attracted. It uses a variety of baits and lures, including crusts of bread, insects, earthworms, twigs, or feathers.
The Green Heron is part of a complex of small herons that sometimes are considered one species. When lumped, they are called Green-backed Heron. When split, they are the Green Heron, the widespread Striated Heron, and the Galapagos Heron.
As is typical for many herons, the Green Heron tends to wander after the breeding season is over. Most wanderers probably seek more favorable foraging areas and do not travel far. But,occasionally some go farther, with individuals going as far as England and France.
Size: 41-46 cm (16-18 in)
Wingspan: 64-68 cm (25-27 in)
Weight: 240 g (8.47 ounces)
Small, dark heron.
Long yellowish legs.
Long, dark, pointed bill.
Long neck often kept pulled in tight to body.
Legs and neck long, but shorter than most herons.
Greenish black cap on head. Wings blackish with greenish or bluish gloss. Neck rufous. Underparts gray. Wing feathers edged in buff. Legs yellow or yellowish orange; glossy orange during breeding. Slight crest can be raised on back of head. Eyes orange or yellow.
Sexes similar, but female slightly smaller, duller, and lighter.
Immature
Striped brownish on neck and chest. Back brownish with buffy spots.
Similar Species
In flight resembles a crow, but the wing beats are slower, the bunched neck gives it a slightly different shape, and it is reddish on the neck.
American Bittern is larger, more robust, more golden brown and lighter, and lacks the dark cap.
Least Bittern is smaller, slimmer, has a large pale patch in the wing, and is pale below.
Juvenile night-herons are larger and more robust with thicker bills.
Sound
Flight or alarm call an explosive "skeow." Also make series of "kuk-kuk-kuk-kuk" notes.
Breeds from southern Canada through Central America, avoiding the higher and drier areas of the continent.
Winters from the southern United States southward.
Breeds in swampy thickets. Forages in swamps, along creeks and streams, in marshes, ponds, lake edges, salt marshes, ponds and pastures.
Winters mostly in coastal areas, especially mangrove swamps.
Food
Small fish, invertebrates, insects, frogs, and other small animals.
Behavior
Foraging
Stands still next to water and grabs small fish with explosive dart of head and neck. One of the few birds that uses bait to attract fish, it drops such things as bread crusts, insects, and twigs onto the water.
Conservation Status
Common and widespread. Populations difficult to census accurately, but appear stable.
Other Names
Heron vert (French)
Garcita verde (Spanish)
Green-backed Heron (English)
Janice, jaycee, Jamesp, robindb, soccer, siggi, ramthakur, eqshannon, goldyrs, Juyona, angela926, rcrick, Evelynn, parthasarathi, Argus, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3464 W: 145 N: 5943] (17794)
  • [2008-09-03 19:51]

Hi Mario
Super composition of the Green Heron is now swallowing the frog.
Great expression - it looks as if he is a bit surprised he caught it!
TFS
Janice

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-09-03 20:33]

Hi Mario,

Another wonderful shot of this Heron. Excellent colors and details and an amazing moment. He seems to be having trouble with the frog - it might be bigger than he expected. Superb capture, setting and composition.

Jane

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-09-03 20:34]

Hi Mario

Excellent composition with sharp focus and detail. As Janice says the expression is great too,

James

Hi Mario,

Excellent detail on the plumage, nice and sharp, good composition and correct timing. Well done

Robin

The final gulp. This is a great sequence of action Mario. Nice bit of reflection left at bottom. Reminds me of my heron sequence. Sometimes the luck is with you.
I wonder why they call it a green heron...not much green on it.
TFS

Superb capture of this lovely Heron, Mario.
It is a great action shot, bringing the series to an end. Unfortunately I missed the series, so going back to it right away.
I love the delicate colors on the plumage/feathers of the Heron.
TFS and regards.

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 11 N: 1348] (4706)
  • [2008-09-04 0:23]

Hello Mario,
Fine capture at a fine moment, showing in excellent sharpness and detail a Great Blue Heron.Fine composition and lighting too.
Well done and thanks for sharing ,
Regards siggi

Merhaba Mario,nefis bir beslenme anı.Renkler süper.Suyun rengi müthiş.Kuşun netliği harika,ama keşke yansımasını da kareye alabilseydin yada tamamen çıkkartsaydın.Ellerine sağlık :)

Mario,

The pic is well composed, sharp, detailed and has good POV, DOF and BG. The Heron eating is a very good choice of subject and most interesting too.

TFS,
Sheriff

Spot on sharp. Spot on Colours....spot on Photo...and what a neat time to click. I cannot figure out if you do cars or birds better...I think you do them both wonderfully. I would love to see a landscape by you sometimes:-)
Bob

Perfect timing, my dear friend Mario!
And how can someone like me comment or critique a master at his craft!
You're the best, Mario!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1357 W: 72 N: 2886] (9535)
  • [2008-09-04 10:10]

Hello Mario,
Great photo of this Green Heron in wonderful colours. Excellent sharpness and BG. Good composition.
Kind regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2108 W: 6 N: 2116] (13589)
  • [2008-09-04 10:32]

Hola amigo,
excelente captura,
hermoso plumaje e iluminación...
bonito trabajo Mario,
saludos

Hello Mario,
Great captur4e, bautiful vivid colors, good light,
excellent composition and good low pov, superb
sharpness and depth of field, great timing.TFS.
Angela

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 648 W: 42 N: 1198] (3860)
  • [2008-09-04 21:03]

Hi Mario

Excellent capture of this stunning looking Green Heron, superb detail in the wings, stunning colours, water looks awesome, did you manage to get the whole reflection of the Heron in the water? Either way a superb shot, all the best,

Cheers Rick :)

I wish green herons ranged further west. The colors and patterns are really beautiful, especially in that sunlight. It is a great sharp capture. I'm still ambivalent about the light reflection crossing the frame. The rich colors and sharpness are wonderful.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

A lovely action shot wit catching colours.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-09-06 22:07]

Hello Mario,
A great sequel to the previous posting, the Green Heron being well seen with fine sharpness, lighting and from a great side POV.
Even the frog's leg that is still sticking out looks large: this must be a meal that would last him a couple of days!
Thanks for sharing this great image,
Ivan

Hello Mario,

The final proof it is a good idea to be so near the top of the nutrition pyramid as possible!
Birds (= heron) are above frogs, hehehe...
Good documentary and a great capture of the moment!

Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • hibou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 206 W: 1 N: 351] (1561)
  • [2008-09-09 17:45]

Salut Mario,

Plus vrai que vrai ... Bravo !

Donald

Bonjour Mario,

La capture des ondes de l'eau de l'étang est un à la composition. La prise de vue du héron vert pert de voir les détails et les couleurs de l'oiseau. L'image est claire et nette. La lumière a un bel effet sur les couleurs. bonne journée.

Pierre

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