Great Blue Herron

[w.slayman]

Shot at Dawn - Canon A1 35mm Film, 300mm F4 L, Fuji Superia ISO 400, F4.0 @ 1/250, Hand Held after a long slow stalk.

[BJW]

This is a lovely scene ... makes me wish for a trip to the beach!

[Eric D]

I thought that was a beach background...nice capture!

[w.slayman]

Thanks for the kind words, it was shot on the Intercoastal Waterway beach at NAS Pensacola. No PP other than Low Res Scan of Film 8 X 12 print and resized to 800 X 800 for posting here.

Again thanks guys

[Loupey]

Nicely done.

I grew up with the A-1 (two of them in fact). I always dreamed of getting the FD 300mm f/4L for them!

[kisu]

That is lovely - just out of interest how close did you manage to get to the heron to take this shot?

[w.slayman]

Thanks Loupey, and kisu,

I turned off my motor drive and started taking pictures at about 100 feet (30 Meters), moving very slowly about 6 feet (2 Meters) at a time, shot and repeat, until I was actually crawling up to about 25 feet (7 or 8 Meters), when I got this one and a couple more. This one is by far the best. While I did not actually time the stalk I think it took about 45 minutes.

After the soft light was gone and I had an empty camera (no film), I was walking back to the car while eating a sandwich, the Herron let me get within about 5 feet, and I shared my sandwich with him/her (?) and the gulls.

[kisu]

I am just starting to learn the lesson that wildlife (particularly birds) doesn't stroll up and pose in front of the camera

[frapuchi]

the really good camera angles. Good field of fire. For my taste colors a bit muted, but they make very delicate picture.
Hello

[w.slayman]

Frapuchi,

Thanks for the complements.

The colors are what they were, Film was Fuji Sureria 400, no push or pull, printed on analog enlarger, from the negatives.