Picture Of The Week 03-23-09

Where: Murrells Inlet, SC • Huntington Beach State Park

Notes: Mmmmmmm Shrimp. I like to photograph birds while they are in action. I try to be aware of opportunities to sit and wait for the shot to happen, like this one. I never know what will be pulled out of the water when a bird is spear fishing. I slowly moved into a good low vantage point. This four foot tall Egret was in good light direction to my location. Then I got as comfortable as I could to wait for a while. I had full body images of this species eating a minnow from another day, so I thought about what I could do different with such a similar circumstance. Perhaps a portrait shot? Well, I was able to get close enough to do this without disturbing the bird. I sat and waited. A few strikes at the water later this shrimp came out. I had compensated for the white bird in direct light by speeding up my shutter speed slightly; this also helps to freeze action. I also allowed for a greater depth of field with a smaller aperture setting because of the size of the bird, abundant light and closeness to the subject.