Earth Shadow with a Great Blue Heron – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/100, ISO 1000, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 122mm, natural light
This morning is cold and the radar/satellite shows that it is snowing and cloudy outside. I can’t see any snow on the ground because it is still pitch dark as I write this but if there is snow it is probably just a skiff of the white stuff. The clouds overhead will likely keep me from going out into the field today but who knows, if it does start snowing hard I may have to jump into my Jeep and head down to the local pond to see if I can photograph birds in falling snow.
Where I was and what I was doing eleven years ago this morning is a completely different story because at the time I was living on the west coast of Florida and the temps were warm enough that I was in the water of the Gulf of Mexico or belly crawling through warm, sugar sand to photograph birds on the shore.
I arrived at the north beach of Fort De Soto County Park before dawn and headed out towards the Gulf to look for birds and to my delight I soon realized that I had the beach to myself. I wandered north while listening to the birds that were calling, the quiet sound of the water lapping against the sandy shore while enjoying the sea breeze. When I reached the north tip of the beach I could make out the form of a Great Blue Heron in the pre-dawn light so I dropped down on to my belly and slowly but steadily sand-crawled towards the resting wading bird.
Because I arrived at twilight that morning and had a clear sky I knew that I could take photos of the Great Blue Heron with the blue colored Earth’s Shadow and pink Belt of Venus behind it. Just days before I had taken close up images of another Great Blue Heron with the Earth’s Shadow behind the heron for my first time ever and I was thrilled with those images, they are still some of my favorites images of this species. However; eleven years ago today I decided I wanted to take a different approach and create images that showed the heron smaller in the frame with more of the Belt of Venus and Earth’s Shadow in the background so I backed up my zoom to accomplish my goal. I believe that my strategy worked out quite well plus I even captured a pinkish glow in the surface of the water.
I see the Earth’s Shadow and Belt of Venus in Utah but usually as I am heading out into the field first thing in the morning. I haven’t photographed a single bird here with the Earth’s Shadow and Belt of Venus behind it though I think I know just how to accomplish it. I know this, I want to try. I just need the right atmospheric conditions, a little ingenuity and a bird.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.
I’m always so happy to see your photos and imagine you in the water as I’ve seen you on your belly on the sand in Florida. Such great memories. I’m smiling now!
Well, I got an education today! While I have observed this phenomenon before, I did not know it had a name. Each link I followed led me to more questions and more links! I now know what an “antisolar point” is! I did not know that one could see the earth’s shadow from earth, and I had never heard of the Belt of Venus! Now I know their names! Well done, Mia!
I am stunned — the poignant beauty of this shot has brought tears to my eyes. Phenomenal! If this one isn’t on your wall, it should be.
What an amazing shot. And experience. Megathanks.
I slept in today, not wanting to shrug off the warmth of my covers, then awoke to this beautiful shot of the heron with the equally beautiful background light. I was so curious what the Earth Shadow and Belt of Venus was and happy that you had links to the explanation. I have heard of the Golden Hour and blue light but not this, so happy to discover something new. Thank-you! (I am also trying to think of more ways to say beautiful, as I use the word so often in describing grand photos).
Mia Thank you! Unknown to you, I am certain there are a Million people Who look for your Art first thing in the morning. Particularly when it is raining and cold and without colour. We owe you a great Debt. Here I sit in my little room in Vancouver barely two miles from a Rookery of Blue Heron . I must walk by later today and say Hello!!
I am in love with your Herron. So perfect ,so Imperial . I now wish for a house, so that I could make one wall your Heron. I could then walk past him early in the day and be surprised that he does not take off across the water with that nerve grating CREWARK !!
CREWARK!! That they yell when you startle them awake! Thank You! Michael Pope
Persistence iss thekey. You will get there
As I read your blog I am sitting in the dark at Farmington Bay with my window open listening to the water and the birds. Only an occasional hunter and rattling boat trailer disturbing my peace. Most of the hunting seems to be farther out this year.