Why I Get Up Mornings

[NorthernFocus]

I made a commitment to myself to shoot every day of the nine weeks while we're here in South Carolina. Not specifically wildlife. But something. I've been well motivated for the most part and haven't missed a day. But a couple of mornings back I just didn't feel like getting out in the morning. It was a nice day I just felt lazy. My wife, bless her heart, was headed out for a run with the dog and goaded me out the door. Following is what I nearly missed out on over the course of one short hour just after sunrise.

I've got a bum foot so have been riding a bicycle around looking for shooting opportunities. This particular morning I glanced over at a pond and noticed something was making a wake. It was a land otter. When he dove under to fish I ran/hobbled to the edge of the pond and lay down. When he popped up he saw me and came over to see what the heck I was. He was very upset and grunted at me several times. Early morning sun and smooth, nicely colored water are hard to beat for a setting.

1) Coming to check me out.
500mm, 1/1250s, f5.6, ISO400



2) Trying to get a better look.
500mm, 1/800s, f5.6, ISO640



As I continued on I came across a tri-colored heron fishing the edge of the marsh.

3) Here the bird is in a shady spot and the water behind it is reflecting the color off trees that are lit by the early morning sun.
500mm, 1/400s, f5.6, ISO1600



4) And the reverse. A patch of sunlight briefly came through the trees like a spotlight just when the bird had a darker BG behind it. Couldn't plan it any better. Note the multicolored dorsal feathers compared to the GBH.
500mm, 1/400s, f8, ISO800



5) Continuing around the corner I ran across these shags soaking in the morning sun.
380mm, 1/800s, f8, ISO400



6) 500MM, 1/800s, f8, ISO400



7) And my buddy the kingfisher continued his harassment of me. But I managed to hit him at least once this time. 1/1600s isn't fast enough for his wingbeat.
500mm, 1/1600s, f5.6, ISO400



Total time from first frame to last was one hour and ten minutes. I was home in time for pancakes and bacon

[GBO25]

Worth the effort. Great series with #2 the pick for me.

[JBW]

Wow!

[rpcrowe]

Super images all but, I pick #'s 1 & 2 as cream of the crop because of the very unusual subject and way of shooting...

[Mike Buckley]

You owe your wife a big "thank you" for getting you out the door. Heck, we owe her the same. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy such wonderful photos.

[Rita]

Wonderful shots. Thoroughly enjoyed viewing these.

[Werner]

Wonderful pictures. Love the colours and the mood. #1 is my favourite.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad everyone enjoyed the photos. I certainly enjoyed shooting them on a beautiful morning. The otter shots are may faves as well. Until this I had a total of one frame of a land otter. Mike, I'll let Paige know that her efforts are appreciated. Though I think she already knows that she is the secret to my success

[John 2]

Always good but the standout for me is no.3. Sheer all round quality. Great series.

[Craigie]

Absolutely stunning series of images, I love the green eyes in the Shags.

[bje07]

Nice series, I'd like to see your EXIFs

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks for sharing, #2 is great.

What kind of bike are you riding?

[tbob]

Very admirable self imposed discipline, and brilliantly rewarded. Almost as if the subjects wanted to hammer home the lesson. Of course your experience and skill helped immensely in producing these amazing images. Fortune favours the prepared mind, and eye.

This should power you through the remaining period as you will be unable to bear the "what if" factor.

[madcrow]

Dan, I loved them all, wonderful series of images. If I had to pick one, I couldn't. Thanks for sharing.

[Urbanflyer]

Delightful!

[terrib]

Beautiful work, Dan. You definitely got good light that morning. I've yet to see an otter, land or otherwise. On my bucket list! Love seeing yours.

[Donald]

7 images of that quality in 1 hour 10 minutes. It's not fair.

I can spend longer than that setting up for one .... and then not get it!

Wonderful. Simply wonderful.

[Kaye Leggett]

Great shots - a good to be alive day. Looking forward to seeing today's

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for commenting, folks, and I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

Jean, I've added the EXIF to the OP for each image.

Alan, the bike is an old rusty beach cruiser that's available at our rented house.

Trevor, you are correct. The "what if" factor will keep me getting up and out.

7 images of that quality in 1 hour 10 minutes. It's not fair.

I can spend longer than that setting up for one ....

Donald, that's the difference between your being an artist and my being a technician. You design your images. I just show up and operate the equipment.