This post in my favorites series is all about firsts. Each of these photos represents a first for me in some fashion.
This juvenile Bald Eagle is the only eagle I've ever photographed in the wild. I've taken photos of Bald Eagles at a rehab center, but never in the wild before or since this shot, or shots, since I managed to get three or four as it flew overhead. I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and quickly snapped some photos without making camera adjustments. The exposure was way off and I had to correct it as much as I could in post-processing. Despite that, this is a personal achievement since Bald Eagles don't appear regularly around here.
I know there are Wood Ducks in Kentucky, but like many birds, I don't see them. This is another opportunity I had while vacationing in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I could hear the duck in the trees and finally located him perched on this dead limb which is one of the things I like about the photo. Surprisingly, he stayed there long enough for me to get my first Wood Duck shots. If I stare at it, it looks more like a decoy than a real duck.
I had never seen a Green Heron, much less photographed one, until this shot. I remember being very surprised and fumbling with my gear trying to get some photos. The heron picked a great place to perch for my first shots. For a while after this, I saw Green Herons several times and was able to get many shots as you've seen from my posts. Then, as quickly as I started seeing them, they vanished. I can only assume they go elsewhere for the winter.
This was probably my most exciting "first" for heron photos. I had lots of portrait shots and even fishing shots, but this was the first time I had caught a fish being flipped in mid-air. I didn't know it until I downloaded the photos. I've since come to terms with this being just like thousands of other heron photos out there, but it was a big deal to me at the time. I can't help but think the fish was making a last second plea for help in a very tiny voice.
19 comments:
Great set of shots Brian.
All fabulous "firsts"- but I really love that second shot- it is fantastic!
SUPERB as always Brian! and firsts are so special!!!
a great looking green heron pose - artworthy. :)
i like the fish flip photo. it is still one of my favorites of yours. and i laughed at your tiny little fish voice plea. :)
I love the stories behind these birds...you gotta come visit we see lots of bald eagles (have a post coming up this weekend with lots of shots from yesterday with my point and shoot no less). I like the last one with the action and agree, we are supposed to see wood ducks here - never have but I still think ducks are the hardest to photograph they are so freaky!
Wonderful firsts, Brian. The wood duck does almost look like a decoy. I love it and the lichen on the tree. The heron with the fish is fantastic.
Wonderful"firsts" and the Wood Duck does in fact look like it is carved, beautiful colours and a lovely shot with the branch for a perch.As always, they are all aboslutely great. Greetings from Jean
Incredible shots, Brian! And that last one, I think that IS a very big deal! Move over, National Geographic!
Brian! hi! great luck on the eagle. They are so majestic.
Oh, wow, these are definitely special. The wood duck couldn't have posed more perfectly for you. The heron with the fish is so incredibly good. I got one like this too, and didn't realize until I got the pics on the computer. Don't you just love happy accidents like that?
All perfect firsts. Great on the juvi eagle. They are pretty rare to see here even though adults can be sighted occasionally.
That heron shot is amazing! I would flip my lid if I ever got a shot like that. I am really enjoying your series you're putting together.
Stunning image quality! The juvenile bald eagle is very cute!
Shots to be very proud of. The last pic is to me a bit on the comical side. I could see a caption going with that photo because it sure looks like the fish is using it's fins to hold the beak open. So enJOYed this post.
Seeing a duck perched in a tree is rare sight for me.
Isn't it thrilling to see a bald eagle? And I think I would be just as thrilled if I saw them every day. There are getting to be some around here....a couple weeks ago, on the way to meet our daughter to pick up our granddaughter, I saw two going and as Lorelei and I came home, we saw the same two I suppose. One juvenile and one adult.
Wonderful heron shots...both the Green and the Great Blue...they are just so sharp and clear.
WoW...the great blue is my favorite but they are all awesome!!
Really appreciate the way you're organizing these photo series by themes, Brian. You're giving us a tiny bit of your thought processes as a photographer. That's good from both the student and enthusiast viewpoints.
I'll bet you were blown away to capture that eagle--and in flight no less. And, you're right, the wood duck looks almost carved and painted--and what a great perch.
Good grief! How long did you have to wait to catch that shot of the Heron and the flying fish??????? What an amazing photo!
Rosemary
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