Day: February 24, 2016

Great Egret in flight

My camera settings were ready to capture this graceful Great Egret in flight when he lifted off. You need a fast shutter speed, the bird in focus, and a proper exposure (difficult when the bright sky is the background). I was really excited to see this egret with two wing positions and water dripping off his feet.

Since the sky was cloudy, I had my ISO set to 400. My Nikon 70-200 lens was extended to 200 to isolate the bird without moving too close to disturb him. I had my Nikon D800 set to Aperture Mode and set the aperture to f/5.6 to keep the bird in focus if he moved a bit closer or farther from me. This setting gave me the balance between wide depth of field and enough light to yield a fast shutter speed (1/1,000)  to freeze action. I also employed the fast continuous shutter mode, so my camera would shoot multiple exposures with one long depression of the shutter button. Of course, you have to make these choices ahead of time, so when the bird takes off, you can pan and press the shutter button.

#egret, #greategret, #snowyegret, #bird, #birdinflight, #florida, #sharkvalley, #everglades, #wildlife
Egret in flight with its prey. Such a beautiful fan of white feathers.

 

#egret, #snowyegret, #greategret, #wildlife, #nature, #florida, #birds, #flight
Wings up on Snowy Egret, Shark Valley, Everglades