Egret Fishing Close…Too Close
Last week I was watching this egret walking along the side of the marsh pond close to where I was standing when it suddenly struck at the water and came up with a fish. Often the issue is that the wildlife action takes place a bit too far away to get decent shots, but in this case the egret was too close. I couldn’t fit the top of the bird’s head and the bottom of the fish in my frame and I didn’t have time to back up before it gulped down the fish. Well…I suppose I shouldn’t complain, earlier in the week I spent an entire frustrating morning where nothing came close to my location!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Did that startle you? You are probably used to the habits of wildlife. This is a fanTAStic shot. I just can’t get over how “beady” the egret’s eyes are! While I feel sorry for the fish, this is nature. The scale pattern in the lighting is beautiful.
No it wasn’t a matter of being startled it’s just that in a situation like this I have barely seconds to react, lock focus, and bang off a few shots hoping my settings are right before the fish is down the throat. You blink and the moment is gone.
Yes sometimes I do feel bad for the poor fish but so it goes in nature.
I’m glad you liked this egret pic!
A really cool anyway, a lot of great detail!
A really cool photo, that is.
Thanks much David I appreciate you looking and commenting and glad you like the photo!
I like the close up anyway but understand getting frustrated when you can’t move forward or back right when you want to when things are happening. Love the shimmery colors of the fish.
I sometimes think the birds don’t take my photos into consideration when they are fishing, can you believe that?! Plus they rarely take direction very well. I tell them…’turn your head’, ‘move into better lighting’ and stuff like that but do you think they listen? They do not. 😉
Well I’m glad you enjoyed this photo! 🙂
Oh that is so true. I have offered such encouragement myself and I have better luck asking the clouds to move over a bit so the sun can hit my subjects more favorably.
I was talking to an anhinga this morning that was just standing on the side of the pond. I wanted fishing action shots and told him so, but he just blinked at me. Inconsiderate bird. 😉
I think that the capture can’t get any better… I don’t mind that the top of the egret’s head is cut off and that the fish is in the bottom … the picture is intense with the beak dominating the frame and accentuating the action of hunting/fishing :). I am impressed Phil… How did you get such a uniform background?
Thanks very much Paula I’m very happy you like the way this egret photo turned out!
The background is really just the water behind the bird. This was in late evening and lighting was poor so exposing for the bird let that background go a bit dark and the close focus on the bird caused it to blur out.
It turned out so great, but then you are a master of the trade 🙂 So perfectly even and not-distracting 🙂
Thanks a million Paula!
No, thank YOU 🙂
I hate it when that happens. And it is very rare with only a 300mm but occasionally….
In this case, not all that bad a thing. The intent look in the egret’s eye is cool.
It wasn’t the first time and won’t be the last I’m sure. I don’t mind losing the top of the egret’s head I just wish I had all the fish but that’s OK.
I had the 1.4 on so it was actually a 420. The straight 300 probably would have been perfect.
In any case I’m glad you liked this photo Steve!
Yow…even with 420 this is close. 🙂 That is a bird with a lot of self-confidence. 🙂
The best part is that he ignored me the entire time I was watching him which is exactly the way I like it!
Still a great shot, Phil 🙂
Thanks much I’m happy you like it!
I find your photos always great and therefore always special! Whether with or without whole-head! ▲
I’m glad you like this egret photo even without all his head! 😀
I really like this photo. It is quite different but still very appealing.
Thanks a bunch Molly, I have a ton of pics showing whole birds and fish but thought this one was different. 🙂
I’d say you captured the important details!
Hey thanks Deb! Appreciate it!
Wonderful close up Phil.
Thanks very much Jan so glad you enjoyed it.
Now this is really funny Phil. Got to tell you, I’ve booked my trip to Galapagos for March 2014. I’m trying to decide what lens I am to carry. Really want to take the 500mm, but many say the animals are too close for that reach. This photo should tell me the reality. 🙂
It’s funny how it works sometimes. There has been many a day I was chocked with too much glass even with a 300 and ended up getting body parts. Other times of course they just won’t come in close. But overall we are lucky to have birds and gators that don’t pay any attention at all to people.
Deciding whether to lug a big heavy lens is a tough choice Emily.
There’s just no pleasing some folks…. what I wouldn’t do to get a bit closer to some birds other than gulls…
That’s funny because I was thinking exactly the same thing. Great shot.
I hope Phil realized it was meant to be funny… I forgot to add the smiley face. 😀
So did I:) But he got a good sense of humour.
I have to keep smiling otherwise I might upset the alligators and that’s not good for anybody. 😀
Oh I knew, please feel free to give me a hard time about anything, any time. 😀
I figured as much, but without tone of voice and facial expressions, it can occasionally create misunderstandings…. been bitten a few times that way.
Ah you folks I know well and I always appreciate every comment you take the time to write, thanks so much!
I am often chocked with too much glass even with a 300, I guess I should just consider myself fortunate and quit complaining. Yeah right… 😀
Where’s the fun in that?
Especially with tourist season in full bloom…oh do I have stories. “Is that alligator real?” Yes that’s an actual quote.
That is so hilarious! I simply could not deal with that on a regular basis.
Oh you should see me out there complaining. If a bird catches a fish and the fish is facing away from me I give the bird hell for not catching it right to make my photos better. 😀
By any reasonable standard this is an amazing photo. I cannot imagine the patience that goes into some of the shots you get.
Well I greatly appreciate your very kind comments Charlie!
Well who needs the top of his head when you have such a great close-up of that look on his face. He’s already savouring the moment when that poor fishie will go down his gullet. 🙂
He does look like he is really looking forward to his fish snack doesn’t he?! 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
This still works beautifully Phil. A nice problem to have occasionally.
Thanks very much Andrew and I guess I can live with it. 🙂
Such a gorgeous bird – you are a lucky man, Phil, to live in such close proximity to all this amazing wildlife, even if it is too close at times!
I suppose it isn’t the herons I should worry getting too close if I think about it right Maggie?! 😀