Being a very cooperative model.
Sometimes a bird will stay and almost pose, like a model.
I try to shift and move, just a little, to get a different angle, maybe change the shadow. All the time being careful not to scare him away.
And then suddenly, I realize I have 50 photographs almost exactly the same. He has infinite patience and knows I’ll just leave him sooner or later LOL.
At that point it’s time to develop some in new ways.
I guess Pelicans can read. Why else would he sit up there with a flag.
While out the other day this Tricolored Heron perched in a small tree along a trail. The sky was flat and I hoped it might make a good background for a silhouette shot.
It turned out there was much more detail captured with the image.
This was the first photograph of the day. I wanted a simple image to start with.
Not only did the sky, and marsh brighten in a few minutes, this Heron keep his spot for hours. I also have a few nice color ones, but they were taken hours later when I walked past leaving the trail.
Behind this Heron is a huge marsh, salt and tidal. When low tide a good spot for them to hunt. Crossing over the dike, like here, goes to a fresh water marshland.
A dirt road runs along the dike top here and is a small highway for the birds and Alligators. Each side is lined with ‘gator trails’ going up and down the sides.
Woods can be seen at the end of this curve. With the different types of environment all meeting here there is any number of animals around.
Not particular about what they eat, this young bird was slowly working the shallows.
Also he is probably still learning how to hunt, so any food is good about now.
Sitting in the rigging of a shrimp boat.
With their necks all twisted around, watching me, and one sound asleep you can’t help but smile they look so comical.
Everyone loves the Pelican.
Every time I see a flock of Wood Storks I try to get the ‘grand entrance’.
One of the privileges of being a wildlife photographer is captures like these.
Not many people ever get to witness these scenes. I know how fortunate I am.
And yes, another series with a Green Heron. Taken from a different environment though. This bird was hiding in a low hanging Live Oak filled with Spanish Moss.
When they get excited, or angry, all the feathers on their head stand right up, like a crown. This is not a scene I see or photograph often.
It might have been because the Heron had few other places to hide here. The branches were hanging low over a river bank.
Whatever did set him off finally caused him to drop down, away from my sight and ultimately a quick flight over the river.
