I’m making the switch to video!
Video:Bombay Hook NWR
Delaware, NC
Post written: Raleigh, NC
January 11, 2023
January 17, 2023
Blogger’s Note
I’m finding video is hard. Every aspect is different from capturing still images. Editing my Antarctic video is turning out to be a very large, slow project. Until it’s ready I’m going to post some of my experiments and listen to your reactions. Please comment!
A Cold Morning
The morning sun was just cracking the horizon as we entered the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge. The tidal marsh was cold and icy, especially along the shoreline. We spotted this great blue heron with frost on its wings. As we watched we wondered, Has this heron ever seen thin ice before?
Video Link: Click on the arrow to start the recording. You can watch fullscreen by clicking on the small box in the lower righthand corner.
Of course, the heron spotted me –
But the heron decided to ignore the ice and try to do a little fish hunting ….
Poor heron – he obviously wasn’t going to have much luck until the ice melted.
Barry- I really like these videos. I’m not sure how you’d capture the heron’s instability and slight confusion in still photos. Or even its awkwardness finding a way to fish despite the thick brush and branches. What I’m wondering now is whether he was able to get a meal when stymied by thin ice and instability in the brush. Did you see him be
Successful? I like the videos. They’re very immediate – like I’m right there.
Thanks so much and love to you and all family.
Celia! Wonderful to hear from you! I didn’t see success – but a few hours later, when the ice had melted, I did see him fishing normally along he banks so I suspect he was successful then.
It was interesting watching him trying to figure what ice was all about. Looking forward to seeing more of our workshop Barry.
Dave – Thanks. I’m enjoying the video. It was great workshop!
I am reading a book about dinosaurs and this heron fits right in.
It looks in the last video that its wing got caught on the brush. I was surprised at that.
How far were you from the birds?
Yes – the success of the dinosaurs! He was really struggling in the cold and with the ice – but later I saw him fishing normally wading close to the bank so he did manage to extract himself. I was across the stream so I was probably about 30-40 feet away from him. He didn’t seem to mind my presence Thanks!
Barry, you are always finding great adventures. Good luck and happy exploring!
Hi Mary! Adventures are fun! Getting harder but I’m trying to keep on moving!
I echo Bill’s comments about the wing. Also his question about distance. Beautiful work!
I’m not sure if you will see my comment to Bill so I’ll repeat it: He was really struggling in the cold and with the ice – but later I saw him fishing normally wading close to the bank so he did manage to extract himself. I was across the stream so I was probably about 30-40 feet away from him. He didn’t seem to mind my presence Thanks!
Good to hear from you. What are you shooting with? It’s a good start and I’m impressed with the quality.
Hi Ed! Great to hear from you! You’re just a youngster – for another few days! I’ve been following your adventures on facebook – I think we’re both still having fun! I’ve about given up still images. It’s too hard to do both and so I did only video on my Antarctica trip. It’ll be a couple of months before I have that video ready. I’ll do some simpler video while I’m working on my magnum opus. I bought a pro level camcorder – sold all my DSLR stuff to afford it. There is a tremendous learning curve – completely different way of thinking but great fun. Anytime you’re near Raleigh let me know! – b
I love your videos. I love all of your work, Barry. It’s all so beautiful. So amazing and enjoyable. Thank you so much for it.
Thanks Ceil! I’m going to try just video for awhile and see what happens. Megan and my grandkids are looking for a “legacy” project and asked to make my Antarctica video a bit autobiographical. I’m finding it hard, but granddaughter Annie (the oldest) is dear to my heart and what she wants, I’ll do!!!! It’ll be awhile before I get it done but I hope you’ll look at it and see what you thing.
Hope you’re having a wonderful time with you family too! Cheers, – b
A bad day as a great blue heron is better than a good day at the office.
Still photography and video tell different parts of the same stories. I like both.
Thanks Guy – I like both Still and video too. And Janice constantly looks at my photography friends images and calendars and cards and she asks, “why don’t you do some stills?” ut I can’t handle both at once – the thought processes are completely different from before you frame the pictures, to processing, to production. So I’m going to do just video for awhile and challenge myself!
Barry,
I must admit how surprised I was to see that you were selling your camera gear! Although, I do like your videos & it’s always good to change things up. Thanks for sharing – look forward to see what you capture.
Donna
Hi Donna! Thanks! Video is so different from stills that I can’t do both at once! The one commonality is that both are very expensive so selling my old gear is helping me purchase my new stuff … – barry