Hard photographs to catch, but I had to give it a try.
Images taken not quite straight up, and just a shade away from the rising sun. Most of the photographs were blown out, a few here could be salvaged. How often do I get a chance at this, so why not keep them.
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First light in a marsh. Even the Egrets were still sleeping.
There was some wind so most likely they didn’t hear me coming.
Shooting wildlife, and publishing in sepia or black and white can be much more difficult than color. Animals survive by blending into their surroundings.
Selecting the correct photographs with the right amount of shading and distinct subject is the only way I know how to make it work.
Above is a juvenile Tricolored Heron sitting frozen as I took my shots. As long as I kept moving slowly on the dike the bird was content to hide.
No hiding, or even being still above. A flock of Wood Storks, numbering in the hundreds would feed, rise up as a group, and move a short distance down the marsh to continue feeding.
Large flocks do this because as they feed they are also driving the fish away to safety. The birds need to catch up to, and drop down in the middle of the moving schools of fish.
The single Ibis above was just one of hundreds that would drift away from the masses. A photograph of a flock in flight is chaos, I prefer to wait until several separate and move away.
Last is this solitary Great Blue Heron. The larger Herons seem to avoid areas of the flocks. Solitary by nature I can find them off on the fringe away from the noise.
Everyone of these photographs have something in common, the primary subject is distinct and obvious. I don’t always consider this when working in color. In color I am interested in the story and even hidden subjects can work well.
What do you do when the photographs color and highlights are just too good ? That’s a dilemma with some images of dawn here. Case in point below.
The photo above was cropped to fit a standard frame size and blacks were lightened to give the reeds some definition. The rest was provided for me.
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Sometimes I have to work hard for this type of shot. Other times it’s just handed to me.
Wood Storks have been gathering to feed in the marshes and start their southern migration. South Carolina winter is still a little cold for these birds.
I was standing in the right spot to have photograph them as they came in to land. Usually my in flight shots are single birds, or huge groups.
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We even got out 3 minutes early this morning. That’s a record.
The sun and colors were getting brighter through the tree canopy and when we hit an open marsh area sunrise had beaten us, again.
This is not where we planned to see dawn.
Obviously not a complaint, however I’m one of those people that like to have a plan.
It’s a good thing we live where there are plenty of marshes. We pulled over and walked up a small dike. Interesting color.
These must be viewed large.
Wood Storks circled above me, turning in all directions. That’s a good thing. It means most likely they are coming down within the circle.
I was standing under the circle this morning.
