Canada Geese and Goslings

[Larry Citra]

Nikon D3, 28-300mm lens at 300mm, 1/500th @ f-11, ISO 1600. TripodNikon D3, 28-300mm lens at 300mm, 1/1500th @ f-8, ISO 1600, panning, hand held in a kayak

I consider both of these shots to be showing the bird in it's environment .... the heron is way closer but still shows it's environment. Neither of these shots are cropped! Most times I think a wildlife shot is way more interesting when some of it's environment is included in the shot. Of course, as always, there are exceptions to this as there are many stunning wildlife portraits out there ..... and they are usually harder to get!   

[Avril Kirby]

Both wonderful shots but the heron is stunning, especially being hand-held. You must have been so pleased.

[Larry Citra]

Yes, those shots don't come along every day, that's for sure! Thanks for the comments, appreciate it.

[Elehna de Sousa]

HI Larry,

Yes, the heron shot is most unusual and very cool. Why did you go so high on the ISO? Or did the camera make that adjustment for you? What mode were you in if not M? 

[Larry Citra]

Hi Aleena,

I was using Aperture Priority. For this shot I was using f-8 to make sure I had the heron in focus but still give a bit of softness to the background and the panning helped a bit. Kayaks aren't the most stable of craft, so I opted for a high shutter speed, hence the highish ISO. This camera does very well even up to 6400 ISO. I didn't even have to use any noise reduction on this shot.

To me the aperture is the most important setting in most photographs. Even when I need a higher shutter speed to stop action I am still thinking about the aperture to determine how much depth ( depth of field) I need in the image. I usually use a tripod which gives me a lot more leeway as to the shutter speed in most cases but if I need a higher shutter speed for any reason I use the ISO to get the shutter speed up there.

Thanks for your comments Alehna!

[Simon Henson]

The heron shot is outstanding. The 'dome' of feathers and those amazing feet, sets this image aside from so many we see of a heron standing in shallow water.

They are so much a creature of the trees since that is where they nest and spend much of their day, so the background is a refreshing change from the usual water sources.

Elehna, notice the fast shutter speed, due to raising the ISO. This allows for hand held shooting when a tripod isn't practical, although I would love to see Larry fit one to his kayak!!