Whiskeyman's Shot-A-Day 2014

Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
February 3, 2014, Day 34, Shot 34

After my day at work, I just about went to bed straight after I got home.

I'll revert to a "money shot." It just doesn't seem right, though...

Nikonites-34-1.jpg

WM
 
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Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
February 4, Day 35, Shot 35

I pass this place nearly every day on my way home from work. It's called Doc's Oyster Bar. Maybe I could leave work a bit early on sick time, and pay the "Doc" a visit? No? ;)

Better not, I'd likely run into my boss doing the same there, which could get awkward! ::what::

WMNikonites-35-1.jpg
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
February 5, Day 36, Shot 36

Took the camera in to work again today. I can learn some things. On my way home, tonight, I stopped at a roadside egret roosting area. As long as I've lived here, the egrets have roosted overnight in this lake, and likely will do so as long as there are roosts for them.

Anyway, I got to the spot, and set up my D90 and 70-200 Nikkor for the setting. This was about 30 minutes before sundown. Well, I waited, and waited, and waited some more. No birds, and the sun is down at this point. I've gone from great light, to ok/so-so light. My ISO has gone from 200 to 400 to 640 while metering on some green foliage. Finally, at about 2 minutes after official sunset, the first few birds show up and fly to the opposite end of the lake.

Then,... nothing.

At about 10 minutes after sundown, more of the birds start dropping in, going to roost in the very middle of the lake, now obviously aware of my presence. They preen, they fidget, they fly from one perch to another. But not closer to me. Then, at about 13 minutes after sundown, some move toward me, but never really close enough to suit me. And the light is so far gone... but all the while I'm trying, and beating myself up for leaving the tripod in the car... And leaving lots of room for improvement!! And giving me another reason for Jonesing for a 300 or 400 f2.8.

Nikonites-36-1.jpg Nikonites-36-2.jpg Nikonites-36-3.jpg Nikonites-36-4.jpg
 
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Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Whiskeyman said:
February 5, Day 36, Shot 36

Took the camera in to work again today. I can learn some things. On my way home, tonight, I stopped at a roadside egret roosting area. As long as I've lived here, the egrets have roosted overnight in this lake, and likely will do so as long as there are roosts for them.

Anyway, I got to the spot, and set up my D90 and 70-200 Nikkor for the setting. This was about 30 minutes before sundown. Well, I waited, and waited, and waited some more. No birds, and the sun is down at this point. I've gone from great light, to ok/so-so light. My ISO has gone from 200 to 400 to 640 while metering on some green foliage. Finally, at about 2 minutes after official sunset, the first few birds show up and fly to the opposite end of the lake.

Then,... nothing.

At about 10 minutes after sundown, more of the birds start dropping in, going to roost in the very middle of the lake, now obviously aware of my presence. They preen, they fidget, they fly from one perch to another. But not closer to me. Then, at about 13 minutes after sundown, some move toward me, but never really close enough to suit me. And the light is so far gone... but all the while I'm trying, and beating myself up for leaving the tripod in the car... And leaving lots of room for improvement!!

View attachment 71173 View attachment 71174
Click to expand...

There is a real nice mood to your shots. These two are my preferred ones. Couldn't they be post processed just a tad lighter? Are these processed already or could you lighten them up a tad?
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Thank you, Marcel. They are processed in Lightroom, using the Auto exposure button and dialing the exposure increase back to between 1.4 and 2.0 stops. I felt that any more increase to exposure just added too much noise, and my noise removal software isn't yet installed on my iMac.

I'll try a bit of increase to the exposure and repost later. I've got to go pick up one of my children from a band performance.

WM
 
M

Mike D90

Senior Member
Egrets are pretty shy of people unless they are at an area that regularly have lots of people. When I go to that walking park, where I get most of my Egret shots, I chase them from one side to the other every time. At least I get some exercise.
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Mike d90 said:
Egrets are pretty shy of people unless they are at an area that regularly have lots of people. When I go to that walking park, where I get most of my Egret shots, I chase them from one side to the other every time. At least I get some exercise.
Click to expand...

I see what you mean. I was out with my son on Saturday and we attempted some egret shots. He'd get into position in front of the birds, and while the herons and some small waders, would walk right past him, the egret would walk to a point and then take flight, giving him a wide berth. Now I've witnessed these birds behavior, which agrees with your observation.

The next time I go to the lake I visited this evening, I'll wear camo and set up next to a tree that's near the water.

WM
 
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Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
February 6, Day 37, Shot 37 plus

Yesterday, my light was fair; today, it was just bad. We had a solid overcast all day, with a 15-20 mph wind, air temp right around 40 and it rained off and on throughout the day. I was hoping the overcast might reveal some chance of a sunset, but It wasn't about to happen. While I waited, this wiseguy flew up and landed about twenty feet away.

Nikonites-37-2.jpg Nikonites-37-3.jpg

And "Are you looking' at ME!!!???"

Nikonites-37-6.jpg

WM
 

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