Freedom

Ardea purpurea (common name: Purple heron)

This heron was one of the most difficult subjects to take a picture of. Although our guide allowed us to reach some nice areas of the Evros Delta it was not possible to see this bird which uses to stay motionless in the high grass, blending with the surrounding perfectly well. Only once you are very close to it then it will fly - which means you have no time to focus or whatever. This is one of those "lucky" photos - the camera was able to focus on the bird as it flew away.  

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/320 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more "visible".  

Platalea leucorodia (common name: Spoonbill)

A colony of spoonbills rests in the Evros Delta. The minimal presence of humans allows them to behave naturally and show their normal behaviour to the visitor as long as some distances are kept. In this kind of picture one may find more than one species occupying the same spot which may be rich in food. Since this was a "kinetic" scene ( birds were coming and leaving all the time) I had to open the lens to get a higher shutter speed.  

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/640 sec - f/8, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized. Some of the pictures taken at the Evros Delta and Dadia forest are oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more "visible".  

Pelecanus onocrotalus (common name: White pelican)

This flock of pelicans decided to take off while we were approaching their resting point. Being in a nature preservation park like the Evros Delta offers the photographer plenty of opportunities for nice and interesting shots. Things are far less controllable in nature by comparison to a zoo but on the other hand you learn a lot about the natural habits of the animals while you can see and enjoy things which are impossible in the zoo - exactly like those flying pelicans.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:

Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO 200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/500 sec - f/9, Aperture priority mode
Flash: SB-800 in i-TTL mode
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, Smart sharpening added and resized. This photo is oversharpened intentionally, to make the main subject more "visible" .