Great Blue Landing, a photo from Florida, South

Photographer's Note

If you've never seen a sky diver land inside a football stadium after jumping out of an airplane, this is what the landing looks like. Lean back to slow down as you fly forward and gently land perfectly on your feet.

Great Blue Heron this morning at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

Canon 400mm f2.8 lens w/ 1/4x converter.

kabel, edcone, papagolf21, CLODO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

kabel (991) 2013-02-19 18:43

Hello, another wonderful nature photo from you. Excellent timing and great color. I see how having that long lens really helps in capturing nature images.
Do you also use a flash during daytime?

Have a great day,
Karen

papagolf21 (76569) 2013-02-20 0:10

Bonjour, Gregory,
Félicitations pour cette excellente présentation. La beauté de l'oiseau avec ses ailes déployées venant se poser sur l'eau est magnifiquement mise en image.
Grand maîtrise photographique.
Bravo !
amitiés.
Philippe

Royaldevon (17791) 2013-02-20 1:40

Hello Gregory,

Coming in to land ....!
This is a fine shot, wings open and feet thrust forward for impact. The bird is beautifully sharp against an oof but useful b/g.

I see you are a sports photographer; this must be a similar technique but with a different interest.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

kasianowak (2255) 2013-02-20 3:46

Perfect timing! Great composition with the bird placed off-centre and flying into the image. Nice blurred background.
Best wishes
Kasia

CPD66 (644) 2013-02-20 4:49

Hi Gregory,
these shots have to be crystal clear to get the best out of them, and you've achieved it. the clarity is so good you can make out the muscle tone in the herons leg.
well framed, nice colours, a good shot
TFS
Chris

akm (1216) 2013-02-20 18:54

Wonderfully caught. I like the contrast between the stillness of the surroundings suggested by the light and blurred background and the energy, precision and taught muscles of the bird.

joso (2405) 2013-02-20 23:17

hi Gregory,
excellent captured, with a well blurred BG
well composed/croped
well seen and done
regards
jános

Haymotion (2579) 2013-02-22 0:23

Hello Greg,
Prefect timing in your shot.
Very good composition with nice colors and beautiful subject.
Good job
Vince