A few Black Crowned Nigh Herons

[bobfriedman]

from today with high ISO, all handheld.

Nikon D4S SLR ,Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR
1/250s f/7.1 at 700.0mm iso4000


Nikon D4S SLR ,Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR
1/800s f/7.1 at 500.0mm iso8000


Nikon D4S SLR ,Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR
1/320s f/7.1 at 700.0mm iso8000

[Lance B]

These are superb, Bob! Great sharpness, compositions and poses! 

[bendle]

Fantastic shots hand held. you must be steady as a rock.

[elsa hoffmann]

+++1

[Andrew]

++++ 1, I can't hold my 200-400 for hand-hold shooting, maybe "500" is lighter?

[bobfriedman]

I can't hold my 200-400 for hand-hold shooting, maybe "500" is lighter?

the 2-4/4 is comparable but seems much lighter to me even though it is only around 18% lighter....  i often have the TC1.4III on it as well as the first and third shots show.

[PedroS]

Hi Bob, really nicely done.
Just one comment, next time try to catch also at least one foot (just wait for them to start moving  ), it will give a totally different dimension.

[Akira]

Like #2: the two white hairs (?), which seem to be characteristic of this bird, are prominently captured.

[bobfriedman]

Nikon D4S SLR ,Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR
1/800s f/7.1 at 500.0mm iso8000

[bobfriedman]

Like #2: the two white hairs (?), which seem to be characteristic of this bird, are prominently captured.

i really don't know what the long white head plumes of the adults are all about.. they are an interesting feature

[elsa hoffmann]

Those white plumes are usually for display when mating - or courting displays should I say.

[chris dees]

Great series Bob. It's a bird you don't see very often over here.
I got a few nice ones when I was in Andalusia (Southern Spain) in April/May.
Nbr 2 is my pick as well.