<< Previous Next >>

The Grim Reaper


The Grim Reaper
Photo Information
Copyright: Paul Prince (PDP) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2951 W: 366 N: 3779] (11763)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-05-30
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX APO RF, Digital ISO 200, Hoya skylight (1B)
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/500 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2005-05-31 15:55
Viewed: 1281
Points: 52
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
or "I've Got My Eye on You"

The weather was a bit grim here yesterday, which was lucky for this shot as if the sun were out this side of the Heron would have been in shadow. It's not a normal Heron shot but I think it has some character. He was trying to get some sleep, it helps with the digestion of fish!

Gaunt grey herons are among the most familiar of our local water birds. Fresh or salt, clear or muddy each is acceptable so long as it will yield something worthwhile.

The bird doesn't always wait for quarry but stalks through the shallows with long deliberate strides, neck muscles tensed for spearing.

Eventually a fish will pay the price of carelessness as the heron's kinked neck is straightened with startling speed and the sharp bill stabs its prey - sometimes several times. At Breydon, herons also known in Norfolk as the marshmen's harnser, will wade until the body is afloat.

In the days of commercial shipping to Norwich, these very successful fishermen regularly patrolled the waterway following the coasters and on the look-out for damaged fish. Without hesitation the herons alighted on the water before swimming towards their prey.

Young waterbirds are taken in hard weather by full-grown birds. A water-rail has been recovered in a heron's stomach. Mice and rats are eaten and judging by the fur in pellets, many water-voles.

The heron's breeding season is prolonged. In early February in a mild season, they may be seen soaring over the nesting wood and chasing one another, tilting from side to side and diving head-long. An exciting performance to watch for next to the mute swan the heron is our largest common bird. Endless display takes place on old nest platforms and consists of elaborate neck movements with crest and neck plumes erect and accompanied by bill-snapping and a variety of blood-curdling calls.

For short periods the normally yellow-coloured bill and legs change dramatically to deep orange, especially when a group assembles on the 'dancing grounds' running and skipping first in one direction and then another with open wings.

The notes are taken from this site. I hope you like it. I've realised since postin that the levels are a bit off. Please see the WS.
Fisher, milloup, liquidsunshine, scottevers7, chiliu, marhowie, hummingbird24, AndyB, Janice, coasties, Luc, red45, dew77, JeanMichel, naki, puffy, sAner, christophe, roconnell, olontur has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To milloup: Are you...PDP 2 05-31 17:01
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hello Paul
Impressive. Great Capture !

  • Great 
  • Fisher Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1540 W: 309 N: 2234] (8915)
  • [2005-05-31 15:58]

Perfect shot, excelent capture and well done on the composition and details.
That eye contact is awesome, just right.

Mike

What's he reaping, fleas? ;-)
He looks more like a timid chap taking a peek out of the corner of his eye at the lassie of his choice to me ;-))
Anyroads, excellent details, colours and DOF and a nice pose captured.

Looks a litte ashamed and a litlle coquettish :-) Really good photo!

Nice shot Paul,
He certainly looks like he's selling something a bit dodgy out of a suitcase!
Nicely exposed and good details.
Thanks for posting

Hi Paul, I thinks this is a great shot. I love the tight framing and pose of the Heron. Maybe not perfect light, but it fits the mood of the pose perfectly. You have handled the exposure very well, excellent detail in your subject. Nice Work Here!

  • Great 
  • chiliu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1552 W: 0 N: 1169] (6448)
  • [2005-05-31 18:27]

Wonderful close-up Paul!
I like the way you cropped,composed this perfect photo.
TFS!

Excellent capture, Paul.
The eye gives this shot a less sinister feel, but he certainly isn't a happy camper.
Great composition, detail, POV, lighting and attitude.
Thank you for posting.

Great shot, Paul.
The eye contact is great. Good composition , nice colours and very good details.
Excellent work.

  • Great 
  • AndyB Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1586 W: 32 N: 1350] (3980)
  • [2005-06-01 2:43]

Hello Paul,
Its a great capture,perfectly exposed and good sharp detail.
A wicked looking eye!
Excellent,well done.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3464 W: 145 N: 5942] (17790)
  • [2005-06-01 3:57]

Oh dear! Paul, he's not a happy chappy is he? He wants you to go away. It's an excellent character shot, great composition. Colours and details very good. TFS.

Beautiful shot Paul, great pose, very nice details and good sharpness.
Well done.
TFS

Wow, this shot deserves a good long look. As I see it, his eye is looking straigt at you while you are taking this shot. Albeit slightly hidden due to the angle of the head. His beak appears to be slightly open. Is he being coy or has he got something else planned? Awesome work Paul. Very sharp, moody shot. Thanks

Perfect title, This guys pose looks sinister enough! Super sharp with great details and light..Yep, He's got his eye on you, me and everyone else on this planet...Very well done my friend!

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2052 W: 315 N: 4301] (14719)
  • [2005-06-01 7:44]

An excellent photo, Paul. What a PoV. You know I like such close portrait. The eye speak a lot here, even hidden.
I like to share photos with you.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2816 W: 75 N: 7976] (26969)
  • [2005-06-01 7:51]

Oh yes, and where is your scythe? Paul - this is not boring shot. There are many good shots of birds, technically correct and with nice compo but just boring. Your isn't boring for sure. This picture tells us a story. Great!

Great details and sharpness. Everything is just perfect!

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2005-06-01 10:36]

Hello Paul!
Wonderful shot.Details are amazing.Framing,lighting and composition are perfect.Superb work.TFS...:-)

What an expressive character, Paul! Difficult to find a better way to express either a bad hair day, a difficult digestion, or a mishievous chap.
Very well seen and well done.
I like these shots with an expression! TFS

  • Great 
  • naki Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 421 W: 27 N: 782] (2694)
  • [2005-06-02 4:13]

Hi paul, excellent close-up of the heron. Great details and natural colours but my favourite is your composition.
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 314 W: 0 N: 352] (1349)
  • [2005-06-02 7:11]

Oh mine... gosh, he did have his eyes on you! Awesome sharpness and details. Nice portrait shot. TFS

  • Great 
  • Bac Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 100 W: 3 N: 35] (480)
  • [2005-06-02 13:04]

Sweet, good details and sharpness. TFS

  • Great 
  • sAner Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1648 W: 79 N: 1438] (4742)
  • [2005-06-02 18:29]

A fantastic picture Paul! Your title is so very approriate, the way this heron is holding it's head and the way he's looking at the camera is even a little scarry. Very well exposed and extremely well composed. Good POV & DOF and sharp details. TFS!

Regards,
Pieter

Composition: 5/5
Sharpness: 5/5
Color: 5/5
DOF: 5/5
POV: 5/5
TFS
In a friendly way Christophe

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-06-14 12:37]

Paul, needless to say that the pose here is a winner.

Excellent composition, pov and sharpness. I have the feeling that, at the same time, the bird seems to be shy and, on the other hand, there seems to be a kind of threat upon its eye.

A great shot.

Beautiful composition. I like very much that the heron fills the frame. Wonderful view of the variety of colors and textures. Well done.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF