Anatomy of a hunt………

Now that my health issues seem to be improving day by day, I have finally felt more like getting back out in the field.  I think my recovery is going to be much quicker than I thought.  On Monday we took off for a couple of hours and  I was able to observe this Great Blue Heron hunting along a shoreline.  I was about 150 feet, (50 yards) away, when I first saw him.  I stopped the car, rolled down the window and turned off the engine.  I propped my Canon 70D with my Tamron 150-600mm lens on the sill, and composed through the viewfinder for the hopeful shots to come.

I would like to mention here, that I decided to experiment with back-button auto-focusing.  Whereas you use the AF-ON button on the back of the camera instead of using the shutter half-way.  It can be used on most Canon SLR cameras.  I think I am going to like that method.  I think you will agree from the images below, that the system worked fine for me.  Click on the above link for a detailed explanation.

Anyway, I didn’t have to wait too long.  After a few minutes, some movement in the water attracted his attention.  I pressed the shutter, which was set for high-speed multiple shooting and I was able to get the following sequence of his success.  I must say though, that there was actually about fifteen images taken in the space of about two seconds,  but because at the high speed of the series, many of them looked pretty much the same, so I am showing you five of the basics to tell the story.

Just waiting and watching

Hey, what was that that I saw from the corner of my eye?

Better check it out.

Gad. this water is yucky. Must keep it out of my eyes.

I don’t know what you are, but you are all mine, weeds and all.

I am not sure what he caught.  I think there may have been a crawfish, but also some weed.  Anyway, he swallowed it all.

Exposure was Aperture Priority, f8 @ 1/800 sec.  ISO was on auto, and varied between 400 and 800.

Click on the images to see great enlargements.  Hope you enjoy.