Sometimes I Just Don't Understand

[FDCPR]

To get good photos of wildlife normally takes some other skills besides just using a camera. Depending upon your subject you have to take into account their sense of smell, eyesight, and hearing. Using whatever you can to your advantage, wading through the water, hiding in a blind, tree stand, whatever it takes. I have spent a few months trying to get close to Great Egrets. Was able to get close enough to one a couple of weeks ago by using the environment to my favor.
Now I find all my crawling through the jungle, wading chest deep in the water was a waste of time. All I needed to find was a hypnotized bird. I have no idea what was holding his attention, he was in an open area and I just started walking slowly in his direction.

Here is the first shot I took.


Several more steps.


That worked, so a little more


As close as I could shoot. At this point I am very close and wondering if he is actually alive. No acknowledgment of me at all. I walked directly behind him and touched him on the back. At this point he jumped a foot in the air and looked at me. Then went right back to staring at whatever had his attention. Maybe he was lovestruck, or just plain dumb I don't have an answer. When I walked away he was still standing and staring, at what I have no idea.

[Fred flyfisher]

Wow, whatever he was looking at it was a stroke of luck for you and us. Great shots Fred. Awesome bird.

[pjflan7]

You are probably the only human to have ever touched one these on the back in the wild....Gosh I can imagine your heart and mind were both racing.....How will you ever be satisfied shooting an egret again after this experience......??

[conopt]

thats great, i was trying to shoot these all night. i couldnt get closer than like 30 feet to one. really nice shots!

[leonaashlee]

That's pretty funny, and oh so lucky for you. The shots are great, and what an experience.

[shmelly]

Hahaha....and wow great shots, maybe he just wanted his photo taken, maybe he was a poser! Marvelous set of photographs the first is my favorite, you couldn't ask for a better one.

[Stflorian]

haha, if I was a bird like that, I would also pose for the camera, nice writing and shooting

[kabur]

I bet you jumped to when the bird hopped. Would have scared me to death. I wonder if that is the same thing we call a cow bird in Mississippi?

[StellaG]

I think you're thinking of a cattle egret, this one is different I believe, a bit larger than the egrets that hang around cows and horses. Great catch though, can't beleive he let you touch him/her, too cool.

Betty

[Hayward Taylor]

Hi Fred .. great storyteller and beautiful images to go with it .. exposure spot on .. nice