Pride
THE SUBJECT:
A juvenile Ardea alba (Great Egret) steps slowly and purposefully through the shallows hunting for a meal.
THE LOCATION:
Photographed at Lake Cathie, NSW, Australia on a great winter day.
THE MAKING OF ‘Pride’:
On a return visit to this out-of-the-way part of the lake I stalked this youngster as it looked for lunch while I was partially screened by trees along the lake edge.
Due to the conditions I was able to make an exposure aimed at a B&W result but had no idea it would turn out as good as it has.
I have printed this on Ilford Galerie Smooth High Gloss Media and so far it has not developed any colour cast. Fingers crossed!
Fuji S9600: RAW, Manual settings of f/4.9 @ 1/500sec, Auto focus, ISO80, Hand held.
Lightroom 2.2 & Photoshop CS3.
Visit the Aussie Birds collection in my BubbleSite Gallery for more members of the Heron family.
UPDATE: 24-8-09
My young Egret has been featured in the All That Is Nature Group.
UPDATE: 25-8-09
This juvenile Egret has been featured in the Point and Shooters Group.
UPDATE: 30-8-09
My solo Egret has been featured in the That One Great Shot Group.
UPDATE: 3-9-09
My now famous wading Egret has been featured in the Achromatic Nature Group.
UPDATE: 6-9-09
Yet again one of my favourite shots has been FEATURED, this time in the New South Wales Photography Group AND in the Waterfowl Group.
UPDATE: 14-10-09
My solo Egret has been FEATURED in the 60 and Beyond Group.
UPDATE: 7-11-09
My lakeside B&W has been FEATURED in the Fuji Fine Group.
UPDATE: 9-11-09
My beautiful white Egret has been FEATURED in The Black and White Enthusast Group.
UPDATE: 10-11-09
My Lake Cathie scene has been FEATURED in the Waterfowl Group.
Enjoy!
AUSSIE BIRDS – The Heron Family
(Click the links!)
Ardea alba – Pride
Ardea alba – Winter Stalker #1
Ardea alba – Winter Stalker #3
Ardea novaehollandiae – Crossing the Minefield
Ardea novaehollandiae – Cast a Long Shadow
Butorides striatus – Rufous Morph – Brunch for a Bittern
Butorides striatus – Rufous Morph
Pride belongs to the following groups:
! 100% !, *1:1 with the News (Images Only With a Story), 60 and Beyond, Achromatic Nature, All Animals Great And Small., All Countries ~ Wetlands, Ponds, Lakes and Rivers, All That is Nature (Photography Only), Australia! You're Standing In it...., Australian Contemporary Photography, Australian Wildlife, Ebony and Ivory, Former DPF Members, Fuji Fine (3/day, Model Req'd), High Quality Animal Images - 1 Submission a Week, I Love Birds, IPA -International Photographers Alliance, Masterpiece: Photography, Mood & Ambience - Strictly Photos, Nature's Wonders, New South Wales Photography, North Coast Photographic Forum, Point and Shooters, Style! Class! Elegance! Excellence!, That One Great Shot, The Birds, The Black and White Enthusiast, This Is Relevant (2 per day), Waterfowl and Who Needs Color For Beauty? - Black & White Art At Its Best Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Anaa
Absolutely Fantastic capture !! Love the reflections in the tranquil water :)
Dennis Gay replied
Happy Days ANAA!
So nice to have you with me at the lake hunting the hunter.
Thank you heaps for your inspiring and encouraging “Absolutely Fantastic…” comment for this Nature shot and for the honour of adding it to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
kathy s gillen...
Fantastic capture
Dennis Gay replied
Howdy KATHY!
Welcome to Lake Cathie and my birding safari.
Many thanks indeed for your supportive “Fantastic…” wrap for my mono Egret study.
GB
Dennis
picketty
yay perfect B&W, agree any colour cast would wreck this shot. I can hear the stillness
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Soir FRANKI!
Always room for another Bubbler along the lake to get a look at the locals.
Heaps big thanks for your very generous and encouraging “yay perfect B&W…” wrap for this mono Nature work.
The only sounds that afternoon were the breeze whispering in the She Oaks and my Fuji in action.
GB
Dennis
Rosalie Dale IPA
Very dramatic! (Ah so is that why my latest B&W print ended up more like midnight-blue and white … )
Dennis Gay replied
Merry Be ROSALIE!
Your visit to Lake Cathie, your interest in Aussie birds and your most encouraging “Very dramatic!...” comment for this Nature work is much appreciated.
Yup! Inkjet home printing can cause all sorts of colour cast problems with B&W printing. The colour casts can be caused by one or a combination of the following: The printer itself, the inks used, the paper and /or your home environment and probably a few other factors.
I believe that unless you have a printer with which you replace the colour inks set with a B&W set, you are better off getting your B&Ws prnted professionally. That is what I have been doing for quite a while but this time I decided to give that Ilford Media a go. So far so good.
GB
Dennis
traveller
Magic B&W Dennis, great composition.
Dennis Gay replied
Hello There TRAVELLER!
Happy to see your journeys have brought you to Lake Cathie to catch sight of this juvenile Egret on its hunt.
My warmest thanks for your very encouraging “Magic…” comment for this peaceful scene.
GB
Dennis
Mirror
He’s is so lonely….
this is a very calm photo, great in bw.
Dennis Gay replied
Yowza MIRROR!
Glad to have you join the gang lakeside for a bit of bird spotting.
Your generous and encouraging “great…” wrap is most welcome.
One of the habits of these birds is that they do feed alone but they do gather in groups at times, especially in bad weather.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thank you for the honour of adding this Nature study to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
John Vandeven
Very well done Dennis….Fantastic B&W image.
Dennis Gay replied
Ciao JOHN!
It’s a long way from Albury to Port so it’s great to have you with us by the lake.
Thank you big time for your most encouraging and supportive “Very well done…” comment for my B&W serene scene.
GB
Dennis
Jan Fijolek
Wonderful b&w capture. Love contrast and reflections!
Dennis Gay replied
Shazam JAN!
Your Westralian presence at Lake Cathie on my bird hunt and your most appreciative and encouraging “Wonderful…” comment for my Nature photography are most warmly welcome mate.
My thanks too for you adding this work to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Kofoed
My goodness, what a wonderful black’n’white, Dennis.
The black water, the black backdrop, the shiny branches, their reflections, the egret’s position, reflections and trails in the water, the general composition – it’s all perfect.
Outstanding work, mate.
Dennis Gay replied
Daginn KELD!
Your visit to the lake, your extremely inspiring, generous, encouraging and observant comment and your adding this one to your favourites collection are all so warmly welcome my friend.
So glad it has caught your discerning eye and that you have enjoyed the experience.
GB
Dennis
CynLynn
G’ day Dennis! this is amazing! wonderful mood captured here, excellent work here!
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya CYNLYN!
I hope you brought enough sandwiches. There’s quite a mob of Bubblers at the lake now. 8-)
Heaps big thanks for your very supportive and encouraging ”...amazing…” wrap for this peaceful ‘lakescape’.
GB
Dennis
Philip Golan
Beautifull reflections and tones Dennis.
Dennis Gay replied
Ahoy PHILIP!
Good to see you here mate. Pull up a log and watch the birdie.
My warmest thanks for the encouragement and support of your “Beautiful…” comment for this piece of work.
GB
Dennis
titus
really beautiful exposure
Dennis Gay replied
Happy Days TITUS!
Your visit to Lake cathie with us and your most encouraging Canadian “really beautiful…” comment are much appreciated mate.
GB
D!
debsphotos
WOW Dennis…This is sooooo lovely!!! Beautiful image!!*-)
Dennis Gay replied
Yahoo DEB!
Be verrrrry quiet and move verrrrry slowly. These birds can be verrrrry twitchy.
Great to receive your enthusiastic and inspiring Upper Corindian “WOW…” and all those lovely li’l !s for this effort.
GB
Dennis
lozzar
What a great use of B&W. Stunning photo.
Dennis Gay replied
Nannoo Nannoo LORRAINE!
So glad to see that your visit to the lake has been an enjoyable one for you.
Many thanks for your great supportive and encouraging ”...Stunning…” wrap for my juvenile wading Egret.
This is one of those shots I just knew would be a great B&W! 8-)
GB
Dennis
bonso
just fabulous Dennis. Love the B & W and the reflections. All other shots on page look great as well
Dennis Gay replied
Howdy Do BONSO!
Happy to see you made it here. Plenty of room left along the lake shore to watch this solo bird wade through the shallows.
Your ”...fabulous…” comment for my B&W Nature study is most welcome.
Thank you for your all inclusive wrap for the Aussie Bird series too. So glad you have enjoyed the experience.
GB
Dennis
A.M. Ruttle
Very zen, very lovely!
Dennis Gay replied
Well Met AMR!
Welcome to Lake Cathie on my Egret stalk.
Many thanks indeedy for your generous and supportive “Very (x2)...lovely!” wrap for this fine feathered photography and for the honour of adding my wading bird to your favourites list.
I do get it right now and ‘zen’. 8-)
GB
Dennis
nadine henley
wow, dennis – lovely bird series! I especially like b&w in this one
Dennis Gay replied
Nannoo Nanno NADINE!
Lovely to have you join the RB gang at the lake to get a look at this young Egret.
Thank you so much for the “wow…” wrap for my Aussie Birds series and for your appreciation of this shot. So glad you have enjoyed the experience.
GB
Dennis
Scott d'Almeida
outstanding
Dennis Gay replied
Well Met SCOTT!
The more the merrier at Lake Cathie mate.
Your succinct yet most encouraging “outstanding” wrap is most welcome.
GB
Dennis
Alixzandra
This whole series of outstanding photography is just Wow! Just inspiring. A joy to view.
Dennis Gay replied
Super Duper ALIXZANDRA!
Glad you could make it kiddo. I hope we don’t scare the bird off with all these RB camera clicks.
Many thanks indeedy for your very generous and encouraging ”...outstanding…Wow!...” wrap for my birding series. So happy to see you enjoying the ride.
GB
Dennis
Dinni H
lovely composition! the white color of the bird so attractive here!
Dennis Gay replied
Aloha DINNI!
A warm welcome to my part of the world as you join my Nature safari.
Thank you so much for your very supportive and encouraging “lovely…” comment for my fine feathered photography.
GB
Dennis
Uncle Artmonger
Dennis Gay replied
G’day ARTY!
My utmost thanks for being the bearer of such great news. I am honoured.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 24-8-09
My young Egret has been featured in the All That Is Nature Group.
My warmest thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this mono Nature work.
GB
Dennis
valandsnake
beautiful work, well done and congrats on the feature
Dennis Gay replied
Carumba V&S!
Welcome to Lake Cathie and my birding shoot.
Muchos gracias for your very encouraging “beautiful…” wrap and your warm congratz for the feature.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thanks too for the honour of adding this one to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Jen Millard
Congrats on being Featured in the Point and Shooters Group!
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Soir JEN!
Great to have you with us by the lake to get a good look at this wading bird.
Merci beaucoup for your cheery congratz for the feature.
I assume you like the shot??? 8-)
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 25-8-09
This juvenile Egret has been featured in the Point and Shooters Group.
My utmost thanks to all who have supported this B&W Nature shot.
GB
Dennis
walela
wonderful shot!
Dennis Gay replied
Bewdy WALELA!
It’s turned into an RB convention down by the lake. So glad you could come.
Thanks lots for your very encouraging “wonderful…” comment for my bird stalking effort.
GB
Dennis
gabbielizzie
congradulations on your feature
Dennis Gay replied
G’day GL!
My warmest thanks for your warm congratz for the feature.
GB
D!
dinghysailor1
wow how brilliant this is!! fantastic feature too!
:)
Dennis Gay replied
Hi There DING!
Happy to see you join the ever growing RB gang at the lake.
Thank you so much for your very generous and uplifting “wow” and ”...brilliant…” wrap for this Nature work and for your cheery well wishes.
GB
Dennis
dinghysailor1
when i first saw it i thought it was a night time shot.. these birds are always on the prowl for food.. you did an ace job! and what a great lake for an RB PARTY!!! great idea tho bet you wouldnt want my dinghy rippling your lovely glassy water…LOL
:))
:)
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 30-8-09
My solo Egret has been featured in the That One Great Shot Group.
Lotsa thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this wading bird.
GB
Dennis
Roka
OMG…. This is absolutely gorgeous… So peaceful! Another fave!
Dennis Gay replied
Shazam ROKA!
There are that many Bubblers by the lake that we may have to do it in shifts. Glad you could make it.
Heaps big thanks for your most generous and encouraging “OMG…” wrap for my lakeside photography and for the honour of adding it to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Joyce Dickens,...
My favorite for sure Dennis; Ansel Adams would be proud! Such superb photography my friend! JD
Dennis Gay replied
Merry Be JOYCE!
Welcome to Lake Cathie. There are so many Bubblers here that you will have to be very careful where you put your tripod! 8-)
Many thanks indeedy for your very uplifting and supportive ”...superb…” comment, Ansel Adams reference and for the honour of adding this shot to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Holly Werner
This is an excellent image Dennis.
Dennis Gay replied
Howdy HOLLY!
I’m sure we can find room along the lake shore for someone all the way from Colorado. Welcome.
Your generous and encouraging ”...excellent…” wrap for my B&W Nature effort is much appreciated.
GB
Dennis
dreamNwish
Wow! Such an amazing piece of work!
Dennis Gay replied
Cheers DNW!
It’s great to have your company down by the lake as we follow this beautiful bird.
Your most supportive “Wow!...” wrap is greatly appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Thanks too for the honour of adding this one to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 3-9-09
My now famous wading Egret has been featured in the Achromatic Nature Group.
Lotsa thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this B&W Nature scene.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Paul Kavsak .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 6-9-09
Once again a feature for one of my favourite shots, this time in the New South Wales Photography Group.
Lotsa thanks to the Hosts and to all who have supported this fine young waterbird.
GB
Dennis
TwinRaven1
Love the B&W treatment, the space, the sense of aloneness…moody and magnificent shot.
Dennis Gay replied
Merry Be TR1!
Welcome to Lake Cathie. I’m afraid that there’s so many RB folk here you will have to line up.
Lotsa thanks for the encouragement and support of your “Love…” wrap for my lone wader. So glad you got in the mood. 8-)
GB
D!
rodeorose
Congratulations on your Feature! This is a magical shot.
Dennis Gay replied
Hola ROSE!
Muchos gracias Senora for your cheery congratz for the feature and your encouraging ”...magical…” wrap.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay replied
PS; My belated thanks for the honour of adding this to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
rodeorose
I came back this is so mice…and I love the series you have displayed here too on the right.
Dennis Gay replied
Welcome Back ROSE!
Happy to see this shot and the series has caught your imagination. Thanks heaps for the ”...so mice…” wrap.
GB
Dennis
rodeorose
(I mean nice…so nice...)
Dennis Gay replied
Mice is nice! 8-)
Dennis Gay
G’day Angela King-Jones .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it.
GB
Dennis
rodeorose
Your comments are as entertaining as the beautiful, magical, splendid, bendable-in-places, and muchos magical photos you take! You a hoot Dennis!..Did I mention, they were magical?!!....and nice.
Dennis Gay replied
Or was that n*agical and *mice???!!! ;-)
Thanks so much for that kiddo. It means a lot.
GB
D!
Aleksander
impressive photography Dennis!
Dennis Gay replied
Bon Soir ALEKSANDER!
Nice of you to join us down by the lake for a spot of birding.
Lotsa thanks for your very uplifting and encouraging “impressive…” comment for this B&W work and for the honour of adding it to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Ralph Olsson
I like this dennis…absolute ripper mate.
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya RALPH!
Sorry mate but you will have to line up. With all these Bubblers here I’ll have to start selling tickets.
Many thanks indeedy for your extremely uplifting and encouraging ”...absolute ripper…” wrap for my fine feathered B&W.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Many belated thanks for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection.,
GB
D!
hsien-ku
an elegant and beautiful b&w.
Dennis Gay replied
Hola HSIEN-KU!
Happy to see you here at Lake Cathie for some bird watching.
Muchos gracias for your most encouraging eloquent ”...elegant…” comment for this work.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied
PS: Many belated thanks for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay
G’day Mojuba .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
UPDATE: 14-10-09
My solo Egret has been FEATURED in the 60 and Beyond Group.
My warmest thanks to the Hosts and to all who have appreciated and supported my B&W Nature shot.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay
G’day Linda Gregory .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis
Donna M. Condida
Beautiful!!
Dennis Gay replied
Hiya DONNA!
Nice to have you down by the lake.
Your succinct yet most encouraging “Beautiful!!” wrap for my Nature B&W is much appreciated.
GB
Dennis
Zefira
stunning image
Dennis Gay replied
Ahoy ZEFIRA!
Glad you could make it to Lake Cathie. There’s still plenty of room for another tripod.
Thank you big time for your very generous and supportive “stunning image” wrap for my lakeside photography.
GB
Dennis
Laurie Search 25 days ago
Wow, this is so beautiful! Fantastic black and white and contrast!
Dennis Gay replied 25 days ago
Yowza LAURIE!
Lovely to have a representative of SF join the gang by the lake for a peek at this regal bird.
Lotsa thanks for your enthusiastic and inspiring San Lorenzoan “Wow…”. and for the honour of adding it to your favourites collection. So glad it caught your discerning eye
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay 19 days ago
UPDATE: 7-11-09
My lakeside B&W has been FEATURED in the Fuji Fine Group.
Thanks a bundle to the Hosts and to all who have appreciated and supported this proud Egret.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay 19 days ago
G’day Reriginal .... wherever you are …..,
Thank you for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection. I can only assume by this action that you like it. Please fell free to return any time to let me know just what it is you like about it and how it made you feel.
GB
Dennis
bobculshaw 19 days ago
Dennis this is a truly beautiful shot, love the reflections and the ‘ghostly’ trees in the background. Exceptional!
Dennis Gay replied 18 days ago
Bewdybottler BOB!
Welcome to my not-so-secret little cove.
Thank you big time for your enthusiastic, appreciative and encouraging ”...Expectional!” wrap and observant remarks for my Lake Cathie photography and for the honour of adding it to your favourites collection and my portfolio to your watchlist. I hope you enjoy the journey.
GB
Dennis
Dave Hampton 18 days ago
I love this!!
Dennis Gay replied 14 days ago
Well Met DAVE!
So nice to see you down by the lake and that you have left such a great supportive and encouraging comment for my work.
Thank you too for the honour of adding this to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
FeleGili 18 days ago
The bird in solitude! Very poetic!
Dennis Gay replied 13 days ago
Well Hellooooo FELE!
You sure are welcome here at Lake Cathie on my birding safari.
My utmost thanks for your very uplifting and encouraging ”...Very poetic!” wrap and moving comment.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay replied 13 days ago
PS: Thanks too for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection.
GB
D!
Dennis Gay 17 days ago
UPDATE: 9-11-09
My beautiful white Egret has been FEATURED in The Black and White Enthusast Group.
My thanks to the Hosts and to all who have appreciated and supported this work.
GB
Dennis
Guyzimij 17 days ago
That’s the kind of work i like to see.
Dennis Gay replied 7 days ago
Howdy Do GUYZIMIJ!
Welcome to my not-so-secret-now waterland.
So glad I was able to show you something you “like to see”.
Thanks heaps for your support and encouragement and for the honour of adding this work to your favourites collection.
GB
Dennis
Dennis Gay 16 days ago
UPDATE: 10-11-09
My Lake Cathie scene has been FEATURED in the Waterfowl Group.
Big thanks to the Hosts and to all who have appreciated and supported my favourite B&W work.
GB
Dennis
Ralph Olsson 15 days ago
Dennis Gay replied 15 days ago
G’day RALPH!
Heaps big thanks for you bearing the banner with such great news. I am honoured.
GB
D!
Sharon Mau 13 days ago
billyboy 12 days ago
This is a massive take Dennis. And what separates it from the rest for me is your framing… placing the ‘horizon’ in the center while using the rule of thirds for the subject totally works, and the way you mimic the reflection of the landscape with the bird. Your exposure is perfect and yet the natural contrast of the elements makes sure our gaze rests finally on the bird.
Def a fave!
Travis Easton 12 days ago
This so works, great shot Dennis
aroha 12 days ago
stunning shot, love it! :)