Larry Treadwell
December 2024 - Green Heron Rising
About the Image(s)
Green Heron at Take Off
Nikon D850, Nikkor 200-400 with tc 1.4, ISO 4000, f5, 1/1250, from Tripod
My plan on this early November morning was to capture a Green Heron in flight. I went to Green Cay Wetland, in Delray Beach, Florida, one of the best birding areas in Florida in case any of you snowbirds want to come down to get some good bird shots (wait until January to come by then all the birds will have arrived). I know the bird hands out year round and I know the best spots in the Wetlands to find them. As hoped there were two Greens fishing in the reeds. It was still early and cloudy so I was forced into a high ISO, but these guys are very active right at sunrise so there was little choice. The birds are very patient hunters and can stay frozen for extended lengths of time. The strike is eminent when they start to extend their necks so I was ready. On this day they were not just plucking fish out of the water, but actually diving into and submerging like an osprey and then rising. They never really took flight but leaped out of the water in directly into the reeds. So no flight, but lots of take offs, just not all in my direction. I’m satisfied with this shot, the open bill helps a bit as do the water drops
This was processed completely in Lightroom and using Matt K’s system for working Lightroom’s new noise reduction process. He says it is better than Topaz, and after trying both Lightroom and Topaz on this image I agree.
Hope everyone enjoys the Holiday Season Cheers!
6 comments posted
As always, we learn a lot about the environment from your descriptions. This is a good action shot with the bird lifting off. I think you got suitable blur in the background, but you could blur it even more. I'm interested in learning more about what Matt K's noise reduction system, is. I've found that Topaz denoise is superior to LRC and quicker.
My only suggestions for improvement would be to shoot this at a faster shutter speed. The wings have a little bit of blur in them. also I might darken the bright spots between the bird's legs and feet. This is probably something in the background that is reflecting off the water. Posted: 12/06/2024 17:02:12
I get you point about a faster shutter speed but I was already pushing the ISO pretty high, using a fast shutter and a higher aperture (not a great trifecta). The light was clearly quite low. I know I can use all the denoise options to clean of the picture, but I just do not like how denoise softens the image. This photo will not end up among my favorites. It is acceptable but not wonderful Posted: 12/08/2024 13:14:34
One thing I have noted over the years is that the fine feathers on birds long necks and legs tend to look soft when they are really wet. Then add the high ISO and the softness from denoise and I do not like the results. For me this bird is too soft. Give me better light any day. Posted: 12/08/2024 13:24:18