Visit to local temple lotus pond (6 images)

The past couple of weeks weather here has been a bit inclement for visiting the nearest forst national parks, so I've relaxed by going to a nearby temple that has a lotus 'pond' where people come to make merit by releasing various fish, frogs, eels, snails, etc… by the bucket load.

It might be good luck for the people doing the releasing, but it's exceptionally fortuitous for the local heron and egret population and relaxing photographers… and appalling bad luck for the aquatic critters being released, whose new-found freedom and life expectancy is all but non-existent.


Black-crowned Night Heron


Black-crowned Night Heron, again


Chinese Pond Heron


Little Egret, in a bit of a breeze


Chinese Pond Heron, stalking at water's edge


Great Egret, with a light snack (small catfish)

Taken with either K3 + Tokina AT-X AF 400mm f/5.6, or K5 + Pentax F*300mm f/4.5

Enjoy!

What a great opportunity to snag these pictures! Ecologically it sounds a little iffy but photographically, it's a gold mine!

Nice bird images; good thinking to use the bright grey light to your advantage. Sometimes I think it's better to full-on sun.

Thanks for posting.

capturef22 said:

Nice bird images; good thinking to use the bright grey light to your advantage. Sometimes I think it's better to full-on sun.

Click to expand...

Thanks... The light the first visit was really nice... still fairly strong sun, but softened by some high diffuse cloud...

The shot yesterday (second visit) of the stalking pond heron was clear skies and direct sun, but late afternoon... The light not as good as the previous time, but still usable, and a warm cast due to being late afternoon.

Agree that the practice is not ecologically sound, but it goes on all over the country and it does provide these photo opportunities.

Cheers

Rob

Such beautiful birds. Great shots.