Reddish Egret being shadowed by Laughing Gulls – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 135mm, natural light
This image is a favorite of mine because it brings back memories of the day I created it. Way off shore there was a hurricane that stirred up the Gulf of Mexico as if it were a giant bathtub with huge waves. The waves pushed on shore battering the small fish found there and the birds were having a feeding frenzy.
There were two Reddish Egrets (Egretta rufescens) on the north beach of Fort De Soto that day and it was a blast to watch them race around catching the small fish. Shadowing the egret were Laughing Gulls (Leucophaeus atricilla) hoping to scoop up any of the fish the egret might miss. Photographing the action was exhilarating, I could barely keep up with the Reddish Egret and the gulls and it was even harder to keep them in my viewfinder.
Yeah, it was a great day for bird photography!
Mia
A wonderful action photo Mia! I love the wonderful photos that you post on your blog. <3 <3 <3
Thank you so much Linda, as bird & nature photographers we have the best subjects!
I love those storm driven big waves! The Egret doesn’t seem too pleased with his two followers! Great action photo!
Tammy, The Egret seemed to ignore the gulls for the most part but it was very defensive when they got close to the prey. Thanks for commenting.
Wow! Superb action photograph! I love the movement captured in this image. Sounds like a fabulous scene for taking photographs. I’m sure it was fun to watch, too.
Julie, It was a fabulous setting for these images especially since the waves at Fort De Soto aren’t usually so large. Thanks for your comment.
Wow! Mia, it doesn’t get any better than that!” 🙂
Thank you Bob, it was a great day.
That’s awesome Mia, so much power and fluidity captured in that image, and in such a thoroughly natural and remarkable setting for those birds.
Thanks Laurence, I like the feeling of power that the action gives to this image too.
I had no idea there were reddish egrets nor have I ever seen them. That is so cool. I love this image. Images showing birds in action to me are so great. Carol
Carol, Reddish Egrets are awesome wading birds, I wish now that I had taken some videos of them while they were hunting, they do a “drunken sailor” very well.
Great action!
Elijah, thank you it was a great experience.