Capturing the Moment: Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Lunging for Crayfish
As a wildlife photographer, I am always on the lookout for unique and captivating moments in the natural world. That’s why I was thrilled to witness a male Yellow-crowned Night-Heron lunging for a crayfish at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. This experience allowed me to capture a series of photos showing this bird from start to finish, which was a real treat.
The agility and precision of these birds never cease to amaze me, especially when it comes to catching their prey. I remember seeing a ripple in the water and instinctively focusing on that area, waiting for another ripple to occur. And sure enough, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron waited for a split second before striking with lightning speed.
To get the shot, I parked my pickup truck on the side of the auto tour road and positioned my camera and lens on a bean bag that I had draped over the open window. This setup allowed me to remain stationary and capture the bird’s movements without disturbing its natural habitat.
Overall, this was a truly unforgettable experience that I will cherish for years to come. It’s moments like these that remind me why I am so passionate about wildlife photography. The thrill of capturing the beauty and majesty of nature is what drives me to keep exploring and seeking out new adventures.
Technical:
• Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
• Date Taken: July 2, 2018
• Aperture: f5.6
• Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec.
• ISO: 500
• Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
• Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
• Focal Length: 400 mm
• Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM
• Camera: Canon EOS 7D Mark II