Monday, November 5, 2012

Favorites Series


I thought I would go through my photos and pick out some of my personal favorites from the past year or so. These aren't necessarily technically perfect shots or photos that were the most popular from a comment standpoint. These are shots that I like for whatever reason. I'm not even going to go into the exposure info with these because that would take away from the whole point. I'll do a series of posts, but I'm not going to overload each post with a bunch of photos. Depending on how long you've been following my blog, these may be old news or something you've never seen.

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This is one of my favorite Great Blue Heron photos. There's no action going on to speak of and the lighting is one-sided, but I like the glass surface of the water except the point where the heron's beak is touching it. It looks like the heron is being delicate, although in reality he was in the process of getting a drink. And the reflection is quite nice.




I like this shot because the background is a muted brown with some bokeh-type branch design going on. The broken dead perch leads into the photo and the lighting brought out softer colors in the Blue Jay.




This is a situation where burst mode on the camera is king! The wing feathers gradually spread out farther as they get to the wing tips giving the appearance of a paper fan. I also like the shadow of the left wing inside the right wing and the drops of water on the goose's head and neck. To me, it appears he's directing an orchestra.




33 comments:

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh wow- awesome!

Andy said...

It's easy to see why these photos belong in your favourites.

Carole M. said...

excellent Brian and really hard to nail a favourite. My choice tonight I think has to be for the goose

Faye said...

Oh, now this is going to be a great series, Brian. Can see why you'd choose each of these photos to star. And I especially like your explaining why each photo made the cut in your opinion. As for choosing a favorite of these three, I couldn't possibly--well, maybe the middle photo for it's soft colors.

Rustic Vintage Country said...

Totally awesome! I like goose best I think but then there's.....oh, they are all good! x

Tanya Breese said...

that last one is definitely my favorite!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Wow I can truly see why these are your favorites! Love the third one awesome photography!

Alan Pavey said...

Great idea Brian, really liking the concept and such a nice first selection, looking forward to the next set :-)

MTWaggin said...

Yay I can't wait to see more!!!! Honestly, I love to see why others have favorites, and honestly you don't even need a reason. Of course the heron touches my heart but of the 3 I really do love the goose shot! We see so many of those buggers here that they almost become boring, that shot is amazing! More more more.....LOL

TexWisGirl said...

i'm still in love with that heron shot. i'm a fan of all of them, though.

Anonymous said...

Love the glass like reflection of the Heron & the feathers on the back are crisp & clear.
They're all awesome, though.

Anonymous said...

Brian. I love the third picture as it shows the beauty of the spread out wings. Amazing display .

First one the reflection.

The rest are beautiful as well.

Thanks for sharing your fantastic Photography.

Tombstone Livestock said...

I like them all too, the peace and calm of the heron on the water, cute blue jay, but love the action shot of the goose.

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Love the idea of doing this series! These are wonderful shots. I like the goose best because it's such an unusual shot!

Polaris said...

Son unas fotos fantásticos, Brian

Connie Smiley said...

Wow, these are stunning, Brian! I love that first one--the heron looks like a gentle giant. Your goose conductor is amazing. Who would have guessed they liked music?

Gail Dixon said...

Wowwee, Brian. I can see why these are your favorites. I like how you explained the reasons and I agree with them all. The last shot should be called The Conductor. Wowzer. Perfect focus from the face to the wingspan.

Meggie said...

Oh, Brian...all three are beautiful, but, I especially like your photo description of "conducting an orchestra". That photo is my favorite!

barbara l. hale said...

Your bird pics are spectacular! I can't decide which I like the best. I think you pointed out the strong points of each one, but overall, they are just spectacular!!

Debbie said...

i love all 3, each for a different reason!!

but you know my fav is the heron, it's a spectaular image!!

Nancy J said...

Too hard to pick a favourite, all super. The words add to each photo, and we can only say thank you so much for sharing with us,for me this is a wonderful start to my day.(7 a.m.) Greetings from Jean

Lindsjö taxar said...

Love them, the heron is always awsome....its a beautiful bird. You are so good. Yes you will for sure get more to know about how we hunt with our dachshunds, mainly roes and its a nice hunt, you can sit and listen to the barking and read your dog whats happen.
This weekend is no hunting , we will go to Norway for field trials with Tyra

Pamela Gordon said...

These are beautiful Brian. I love the Canada Goose one. The wings look so powerful.

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful shots Brian... the light always seems perfect for you.

Anonymous said...

Each one is spectacular, Brian.

Tammy said...

I see why these are some of your favorites! I love the still water and reflection in the first! You did an excellent job capturing the action of the goose in the last photo!

Leenie said...

All winners! Thanks. I like them all but I never get to see blue jays like that here so I'm calling that one my favorite.

Kerri Farley said...

Oh yes! These are stunning! What a great idea to do a "favorites" series!!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

You chose some beauties Brian. I always do an end of the year fave, and so difficult, is it not~

Liz said...

Absolutely brilliant shots in my humble opinion!! The Heron shot is wonderful... the reflection superb!
The second shot is lovely. And the last is a perfect capture... I wish I could shhot birds like this with the clarity you capture!!

Ida said...

These were all wonderful shots and it's easy to see why you picked them as favorites. I enjoyed reading your explanation behind your choices. My favorite is the Goose and it does look as if he's directing an Orchestra!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

blue jays are such loud birds. this one, wow, what a great shot. (:

Deb said...

Excellent choices Brian