Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum).
I paid a favourite spot a visit yesterday and was rewarded in a different way. Phyllis or Lorna, not sure which one, was standing directly below the edge of the hide. I could not lean out she would have moved, so I merely pointed my camera over the side and used my tilting screen to focus and take the shots.
She was preening away happily and seemed to take little to no notice of the camera… But these are what you could call close encounters of the unexpected kind…. here’s a picture to show the set up….
and these were a few of the resultant captures….. I like them…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
I thought it was Phyllis until I took a second look–definitely Lorna. And boy did you capture some gorgeous closeups. She’s an amazing beauty!
Thanks Debra… I did enjoy this shoot
I like them too – sometimes we forget what a different perspective might give us! Great job!
Thank you so much… I took quite a few and was happy with the results… not many others will have such photos…
I don’t know how you could capture anything more stunning! I absolutely love these shots! 🙂
Thanks LuAnn this is one of those days you wonder why you were so privileged to get such pictures… what did I do right ??
Well, you are a pretty amazing photographer, you know! 🙂
Brilliant captures bulldog, I love the artistic style!
Thank you Amanda
Love the shot of the “crown”!
Thank you very much…
OMG! I can see why these might have blown your socks off ( and those better than these). These photos are fantastic!
Wow! What a hairdo that bird has, and you captured it just right.
Love that crown! These are such crazy good shots! I’m so glad you could get that close without scaring her away!!
Sono fantastici questi scatti, bravissimo e complimenti 🙂
Ciao, Pat
Wow – now I know why you were so excited by them!!
They’re gorgeous bulldog – they could be a framed series hanging on someone’s living room or office wall!
Diana xo
Thanks Diana and these are not what I consider the best…. I have a few that blow my own socks off…. sheeez now I’m bragging….
Brag away bulldog!
Stunningly beautiful! Two would look amazing together, framed with white matting!
Thanks Laura… and these are not the ones I consider the best… but still
Yes. Still…. 🙂
Great shots!!!
Thanks Jewels…
Phenomenal captures, bulldog. She’s so beautiful, and that hairdo…..what can I say? 😀
Thanks Sylvia… just one of those days one dreams of…
Magnificent shots!
Thanks Cindy…
Wow, Rob. These are absolutely phenomenal!! Artistic and so beautifully composed. Good grief, Rob, you’re a portraitist! NGM has absolutely nothing on you. Submit them. 🙂
Thank you so much George… this was a lucky encounter….
Goodness Bulldog, these close-ups are spectacular, love the contrast of the vivid colour against the dark background…
Thanks Sherri I can’t even explain that as I never got to look over the side, I can only think the water was in shade and the bird not….
These close ups are certainly different, and effective. I do not have a tilting screen so would have missed such an opportunity.
I was lucky that I noticed her there before frightening her by peering over the side….
Of course you realize that the bird is going to want 8×10 copies for it’s portfolio 😉 Great shots.
Thanks Teri…
Wow! Awesome images.
Thanks Richard
Welcome
You must be very proud of these!
Oh that I am… thank you…
I like them too.
What a lucky encounter.
That it was Vicki… I couldn’t believe my luck
The queen of Preen! Love the picture of the top of her crown.
Thank you… she did all sorts of poses for me ….