The Heron Experience (Pt.1)

[Tyger]

A few days ago I mentioned that I spotted a Great Blue Heron at a place called Toogood Pond in Markham, Ont. I went back to the park to find the heron. As I walked along the path there he was in the distance perched on a tree branch. I was quite far to get any decent pics so I followed the edge of the pond and I was able to find a decent spot for pictures. He stood there perched for a good 30minutes.

Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/200
Av(Aperture Value) 8.0
Exposure Compensation +2
ISO Speed 400
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh.jpg

With a loud squak and a stretch he looked to venture off. Perhaps he was hungry and was about to go fishing

Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/400
Av(Aperture Value) 5.6
Exposure Compensation +2
ISO Speed 400
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh2.jpg

http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh3.jpg

http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh4.jpg

[Tyger]

After some walking around in the pond he didn't make any attempts to catch any fish, perhaps because there were none in the area. So off he was and I thought my Heron experience was over.

Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/400
Av(Aperture Value) 5.6
Exposure Compensation +2
ISO Speed 400
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh5.jpg

These shots were in some heavy shade and I didn't have enough time to adjust exposure, hence the grain due to adjusting levels.
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh6.jpg

http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh7.jpg

http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/tg-gbh8.jpg

I packed my things and left the area to see If I could find him again. Sure enough on the other side of the pond, there he was....walking, and stalking for fish.

I was quite excited to get these pictures, although not perfect I tried my best to capture "behaviour" and not just your regular snap shot.

Stay tuned for Part 2

[cornfed]

Wow! Those are beautiful! Nice shots! I especially like the third one.

[jimking]

National Geographic nice. Great shots!

[cnic]

Superb pics tiger. Good eye.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Jimking beat me too it.......... You should contact National Geographic with those...... excellent Tyger ..... just breathtaking!! :D

[mac.FINN]

Nice shots tyger.

You've got a real thing for birds don't you? Well it works :D

That's the one thing I can't stand about dslr's - the grain at high film speeds. Oh well, still looks good.

[Jriddim]

Incredible shots!

[Tyger]

Much appreciated everyone :) National geographic....um..yeah...still have lot's to learn but hey maybe one day :)

mac: I would say 60% of my photos are of birds, I especially enjoy birds of prey especially in my vicinity as they are hard to come by.

As for the noise, the XT handles noise pretty well even at ISO800. These were 400 but the last three I adjusted the levels in photoshop to bring out more detail causing the grain. The originals are much more clean. Maybe I should run it through a noise program.

[peder]

Nice! Those last three are impressive. Catching it in speed, I mean. And I didn't see the noise till you mentioned it. :)

[Kool]

Very nice shots as usual Tyger.

Heh heh, everytime I see this thread I see "The Heroin Experience" :D