Dinner time!

As a hobbyist, I was pumped when I lucked out and got this shot. I have been trying to get one of these blue herons (I think that's what it is?) for over a year, and have never gotten close enough to get anything decent before scaring them away.

Yesterday, I totally lucked out. This was in a small pond a few miles from our house. I happened to bring my camera along just in case one of the birds was there when I drove by on my way to trusty Target. I drove by and didn't see any. Turned around to head back toward Target and saw it tucked in a corner when driving back by. I sneaked to the edge of some tall grass and got some pictures from one angle, which I was already excited about (even though they weren't great). Then I walked behind some trees and tall grass, and slowly slid out the other side, which was a closer angle.

I snapped some pictures, which I was elated to finally get. Then this happened right as I was shooting a set in burst. I literally filled my card 3 pictures after this.

I haven't tried to do much with the color yet, I was just pumped to completely luck out to not only get the bird at all but then have this happen while I happened to be shooting. I'm no editing whiz - not sure if I'll be able to tame the white of his head and also lighten up the fish at all? (I have LR3)

I know it's far from perfect technically, but I'm excited none the less. (when I right click on the image in my album, it won't give me the direct URL to embed it here)

www.photographytalk.com/photo-galleries/...19115#photoid=200966

BTW - he lost the fish. The next picture in the burst, he is empty mouthed...

Wonderful capture. Well done.

Guess that was your lucky day...congrats!

Cool shot! Got to be quick on the shutter button for those shots! :0

I was literally in the middle of shooting it just standing there in burst when it suddenly went under. The shot immediately before this one is his head under water. This was the third shot in a burst series of I believe five.

If I had been waiting for a shot like this (not that I could have anticipated this was about to happen), I'm sure I would have missed it. I wish I could claim skill, but this was pure luck. But I'll take it either way!

Amazing shot! Very nicely done.

shelland wrote: I was literally in the middle of shooting it just standing there in burst when it suddenly went under. The shot immediately before this one is his head under water. This was the third shot in a burst series of I believe five.

If I had been waiting for a shot like this (not that I could have anticipated this was about to happen), I'm sure I would have missed it. I wish I could claim skill, but this was pure luck. But I'll take it either way!

Still...you probably sensed that it was about to act...and just the fact that you were persistently following the bird earns you a 'KUDOS' from me!
( I followed a great white egret along the edge of a lake, stepping over cypress roots, ducking under branches, and in a stooped position for about an hour one morning. I watched it swallow at least ten little fish, as it weaved in and out of knees, and thought about giving up! Finally...my chance came, and I was pretty sure that I had the timing right to catch its 'catch' before it swallowed. I was doubly rewarded when I got my prints back ( long time ago! lol ). To my delight, the egret had TWO in its beak! )

Sweet shot!! Right place at the right time for sure!

Wonderful image ... It's always fun to have your wildlife photography persistance rewarded. I have found that feeding birds will be more interested in catching their meal than they are in the photogrpaher, as long as you allow them some space. Press them too hard and they are "gone."

I have many photos of waders feeding and with their catches ... each one is very gratifying. Next up for you is the classic bird photographer's holy grail. It's known as the "flip" .... this is where the bird flips the fish, crab, worm, frog, etc down it's gullet .....

I disagree with the comment about "right place / right time" when you have been working to get a shot for a while ..... Sometimes that happens, but many times it is effort being rewarded.

I offer a shot of a Brown Pelican "flip" to help explain my earlier comment .... and not to "high jack" your topic.

Congratulations on your fine capture!