Look Closer
Effortless
Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, FL, United States) on 28 August 2007 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
This beach heron seems effortless in flight. What it is made to do is fly.
When we are being what we are made to be, or doing what we are created to do, then what we are (or what we are doing) may well appear, to those who observe, to be happening effortlessly.
@ColNed Pictures: Thanks, I appreciate this word of affirmation.
@Manuela Photography: That was my hope in processing it this way. Thanks.
tyan from Singapore
i like your statement! yeah,he does look like he is enjoying himself...i think i heard him whistle!:)
28 Aug 2007 7:37am
@tyan: If he whistles, he whistles with much joy at being what he was made to be. Thank you tyan. I especially enjoyed your photo, and the text and conversations that followed among the comments.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
What a beautiful sihouette, VF, they are such graceful birds.
28 Aug 2007 9:26am
@MaryB: They are made to be graceful by a most gracious Maker. Philippians 4:8.
Lorraine from Canada
As it should be, both words and photo, I am so impressed VF
28 Aug 2007 10:44am
@Lorraine: You are kind. Thank you Lorraine.
Inés from Namur, Belgium
Very nice silhouette !!! I can see a lot of this bird here in my land !
28 Aug 2007 10:45am
@Inés: Thank you. Herons do seem to be in many places; glad you can see them where you are too.
@Paulo: Thank you, your comment here is appreciated very much.
Rebel Szczesny from Big Apple - NYC, United States
Colorless and beautiful but for some reason I kept hearing the song and particularly the drums from the Miami Vice TV
series intro...go figure.
28 Aug 2007 11:39am
@Rebel Szczesny: You are a madman. Your insights are priceless. That's why I love ya, man! Thanks <big, big smile> my friend...
@Brian: Thank you Brian. Glad you dropped in today, as always.
Rebecca from Leicester, United Kingdom
Such a marvellous capture of pure natural grace and beauty, and most wise thoughts to go with it. Most wonderful, VF. Another real wow from me!
28 Aug 2007 2:02pm
@Rebecca: Awww, shucks m'am. You sure do know how to make a fella blush. Thanks Rebecca.
Lost Valley from Kamloops, BC, Canada
What a wonderful capture!! The heron seems to be floating and gliding in magic. I enjoyed your deep thoughts on this....
28 Aug 2007 2:30pm
@Lost Valley: Thanks LV; I always enjoy your visits.
Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States
Yes, I agree with the others: very wise words. Great capture. I love how you handled the contrast!
28 Aug 2007 2:54pm
@Craiger: Very pleased to say thanks for the affirmation, Craiger.
Jose from Barcelona, Spain
Imponente la silueta del ave. Muy buena. Le has disparado en el momento justo.
28 Aug 2007 4:01pm
@Jose: Muchas gracia, mi amigo.
R from Nowhere and Everywhere, United States
LOL... I was thinking it was a Turkey Vulture View before I read the description .....
I love you quote ... I will have to share that with a certain freind on mine for sure !!!
I am not sure if this is the picture the way you captured it or if you have done PP work on it , but I like it just the same
28 Aug 2007 5:12pm
@R: Heh, I can't imagine mistaking a heron for a turkey vulture, but I guess anything can happen. Feel free to use my quote, it's original. As for the actual image, it is flying exactly as captured, except for photoshopping the color into hi-contrast BW. No cut-outs, the background is Gulf water at BW hi-contrast.
R from Nowhere and Everywhere, United States
yeah the lighting ,was what I was curious about .....thanks for the answer !
28 Aug 2007 6:10pm
@R: My pleasure, R.
amy from Rocky Mountain House, Canada
Really beautifully done! It's a marvelous silhouette that was handled very well. And your words of wisdom are so true... very insightful and profound of you.
28 Aug 2007 8:09pm
@amy: Thank you for the nice compliment; but your blue shot today is off the charts great.
zoloper from Bucuresti, Romania
nice shape :) you caught the bird with it's wings down.. well it's a new aproach since i've seen a lot of pictures with birds and their wings up :)
28 Aug 2007 8:13pm
@zoloper: As they used to teach us on television, "What goes up must come down." That would apply to wings as well. Glad you stopped by.
Dawn Sutherland from Phoenix, United States
I bet that is the most amazing feeling in the world, to fly like that. Image all the places birds have seen, the beautiful views from atop that we will never see.
28 Aug 2007 10:39pm
@Dawn Sutherland: And that they get to those heights so seemingly effortlessly; I could watch herons and pelicans and a neighborhood osprey soaring up there all day. Thanks for commenting Dawn.
Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom
Well smart shot, that looks so slow and graceful
28 Aug 2007 11:07pm
@Richard_Irwin: When I think of herons on the wing, I think of slow, graceful strokes and a minimum of effort. I appreciate your visit and comments.
jen from Alpharetta, United States
The silhouette is excellent and it gives me a feeling of flying...lovely image VF!!
29 Aug 2007 1:03am
@jen: Thanks for stopping over tonight; I appreciate the nice things you said about this one.
Wolfgang Prigge from Granby, Canada
Herons are interesting birds, so awkward on land, so graceful in the air and so deadly accurate when they stalk their prey. Your picture and your text are a tribute to their gracefulness when airborne.
29 Aug 2007 1:11am
@Wolfgang Prigge: What a nice thing to say, thank you for commenting tonight WP.
bronzebilly u.k. from cardiff, United Kingdom
great silhouette VF--excellent narrative--uplifting--billy
29 Aug 2007 10:38pm
Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z2
1/800 second
F/6.3
ISO 50
380 mm (35mm equiv.)