Brazos Bend Predator Portraits

Avian Marsh Predators from Brazos Bend State Park, Texas

One category of bird photograph that I spend a lot of time trying to acquire is the portrait. This type of close-up shot requires patience to calmly and silently approach (without sudden moves!) as closely as possible to the subject in order to capture detail in the eyes and face–in short, to really capture the personality of the bird. Some species are more tolerant of close approach than others. All species in this collection are reasonably approachable common birds at Brazos Bend State Park. Unless otherwise noted, all images taken with Canon EOS 7D/500mm f/4L IS (+1.4x TC) under natural light.

Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron portrait taken at Pilant Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
Like many birds, juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are more tolerant of humans than are the adults. Photo taken at Pilant Lake.
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron portrait at Elm Lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron portrait taken at Elm Lake.
White Ibis in breeding color at Pilant Slough, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
White Ibis in breeding color. Photo taken at Pilant Slough.
Female Anhinga portrait at 40-Acre lake, Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
A very cooperative female Anhinga. Photo taken at 40-Acre lake.
Little Blue Heron portrait at Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
Little Blue Heron hunting on the shores of Pilant Lake.
Tricolored Heron portrait at 40 Acre Lake Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
This Tri-colored Heron allowed a close approach because it was being “guarded” by a nearby alligator. Photo taken hand-held with 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM at 40-Acre Lake.
Male Anhinga at Brazos Bend State Park Texas
The brown neck plumes identify this bird as a male. Photo taken at 40-Acre Lake.
Red-Shouldered Hawk Portrait at Brazos Bend State Park Texas
Red-shouldered Hawks may be the most common raptors at Brazos Bend. They can often be seen hunting snakes in marshy and swampy areas. Photo taken at Pilant Lake.
Great Blue Heron portrait at Brazos Bend State Park, Texas
King of the Brazos Waders: this was an unusually co-operative Great Blue Heron. Photo taken at Pilant Lake, near Warbler Alley (Tower Trail).
Portrait of juvenile Little Blue Heron at Brazos Bend State Park Texas
Juvenile Little Blue Herons are white, slowly changing to shades of slate blue and rust with age. Photo taken at Pilant Lake.

 © 2012-2013 Christopher R. Cunningham. All rights reserved. No text or images may be duplicated or distributed without permission.

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