Eric Gofreed
Well-Known Member
My goal in wildlife, bird, and macro photography is to capture remarkable or rare moments. These moments often combine specific actions or behaviors that showcase living things' beauty and dynamic nature. My goal for the photograph itself is to achieve the Trifecta. When focus, bokeh, and subject come together in a wildlife photograph, they work in harmony to create an image that is technically impressive and artistically engaging.
#1 Batfalcon, Brazil
This photo captures a Batfalcon perched on a branch, devouring its prey. Focus highlights the falcon’s sharp talons and feathers flying, while the soft bokeh isolates the bird against the background. The subject—a predator in action is a dynamic scene, as discarded feathers drift on the breeze, echoing the life being consumed.
#2 Brazilian Cattle Drive
The dust from the herd creates a natural bokeh, isolating the cattle and the cowboys. In the center is a cowboy with a cigarette on his lips and decked out in colorful garb, even his horse is adorned with vibrant details. Taking advantage of an unexpected moment, I captured this image, which has become one of my favorites—I even have it hanging on my wall.
#3 Common Green Darners (Arizona)
This photo captures a remarkable moment of a female Common Green Darner laying eggs while the male remains attached—a behavior known as Post-mate guarding, which ensures his sperm has the best chance of fertilizing her eggs. What I love about this image is how it captures such a challenging event at eye level while hitting the trifecta of focus, bokeh, and subject.
#4 Chestnut-eared Aracari (Brazil)
The focus, vibrant colors, and soft bokeh in this photo, combined with the Aracari lifting its head skyward to drink, hit the trifecta and capture a remarkable behavioral moment. The Chestnut-eared Aracari’s lightweight keratin bill, designed for plucking fruit and insects, isn’t suited for sipping water. Instead, it uses an ingenious method—filling its bill with water and tilting its head back, letting gravity do the rest.
#5 Blond-Crested Woodpecker, Brazil
This close-up portrait of a Blond-crested Woodpecker hits the trifecta of focus, bokeh, and subject. The focus captures sharp details, from its feathers to its eye. The soft bokeh isolates the bird, making it stand out. The subject—the woodpecker is gorgeous and creates a captivating image.
#6 Great Egret
This photo of a Great Egret showcases an unusual fishing technique. The focus captures the sharp details of the egret in flight, highlighting its graceful movement and precision as it catches fish mid-air, instead of spearing them from the shore. While the bokeh could be Better, the action and details make this moment special, emphasizing the bird's unique hunting approach.
#7 Crested Caracara, Brazil
The Crested Caracara is coming in for a landing, with wings, tail feathers, and legs all working in harmony for those final few feet. I love everything about this shot—the bird’s graceful action, the bokeh, the sharp details—everything comes together perfectly to capture this moment in flight.
#8 Rufous Hummingbird and Yellowjacket, my yard, Arizona
What I love about this photo is the rare moment of a yellowjacket confronting a Rufous Hummingbird. Captured with multiple flashes, against a velvety background, perfectly focusing on both the hummingbird and the wasp creates a striking composition. The vibrant colors and intricate details make this an unusual and wonderful shot.
#9 Black Skimmer, Brazil
What I love about this shot is the complete isolation of the skimmer in flight, with its long beak creating a ripple as it drags through the water. The stillness of the water contrasts beautifully with the bird's motion, showcasing its mastery of aerial fishing as it glides just above the surface, snapping its mandible shut when it touches a fish. Yeah, the reflection is exquisite too.
#10 Red-necked Tanager, Brazil
Sometimes, I simply admire a bird for its beauty, color, and rarity, and the Red-necked Tanager is one of those birds. The bokeh and composition are fine, but a bird on a branch lacks the dynamic essence I typically seek. Still, the vibrant colors and unique charm of this bird make it a memorable shot.
#1 Batfalcon, Brazil
This photo captures a Batfalcon perched on a branch, devouring its prey. Focus highlights the falcon’s sharp talons and feathers flying, while the soft bokeh isolates the bird against the background. The subject—a predator in action is a dynamic scene, as discarded feathers drift on the breeze, echoing the life being consumed.
#2 Brazilian Cattle Drive
The dust from the herd creates a natural bokeh, isolating the cattle and the cowboys. In the center is a cowboy with a cigarette on his lips and decked out in colorful garb, even his horse is adorned with vibrant details. Taking advantage of an unexpected moment, I captured this image, which has become one of my favorites—I even have it hanging on my wall.
#3 Common Green Darners (Arizona)
This photo captures a remarkable moment of a female Common Green Darner laying eggs while the male remains attached—a behavior known as Post-mate guarding, which ensures his sperm has the best chance of fertilizing her eggs. What I love about this image is how it captures such a challenging event at eye level while hitting the trifecta of focus, bokeh, and subject.
#4 Chestnut-eared Aracari (Brazil)
The focus, vibrant colors, and soft bokeh in this photo, combined with the Aracari lifting its head skyward to drink, hit the trifecta and capture a remarkable behavioral moment. The Chestnut-eared Aracari’s lightweight keratin bill, designed for plucking fruit and insects, isn’t suited for sipping water. Instead, it uses an ingenious method—filling its bill with water and tilting its head back, letting gravity do the rest.
#5 Blond-Crested Woodpecker, Brazil
This close-up portrait of a Blond-crested Woodpecker hits the trifecta of focus, bokeh, and subject. The focus captures sharp details, from its feathers to its eye. The soft bokeh isolates the bird, making it stand out. The subject—the woodpecker is gorgeous and creates a captivating image.
#6 Great Egret
This photo of a Great Egret showcases an unusual fishing technique. The focus captures the sharp details of the egret in flight, highlighting its graceful movement and precision as it catches fish mid-air, instead of spearing them from the shore. While the bokeh could be Better, the action and details make this moment special, emphasizing the bird's unique hunting approach.
#7 Crested Caracara, Brazil
The Crested Caracara is coming in for a landing, with wings, tail feathers, and legs all working in harmony for those final few feet. I love everything about this shot—the bird’s graceful action, the bokeh, the sharp details—everything comes together perfectly to capture this moment in flight.
#8 Rufous Hummingbird and Yellowjacket, my yard, Arizona
What I love about this photo is the rare moment of a yellowjacket confronting a Rufous Hummingbird. Captured with multiple flashes, against a velvety background, perfectly focusing on both the hummingbird and the wasp creates a striking composition. The vibrant colors and intricate details make this an unusual and wonderful shot.
#9 Black Skimmer, Brazil
What I love about this shot is the complete isolation of the skimmer in flight, with its long beak creating a ripple as it drags through the water. The stillness of the water contrasts beautifully with the bird's motion, showcasing its mastery of aerial fishing as it glides just above the surface, snapping its mandible shut when it touches a fish. Yeah, the reflection is exquisite too.
#10 Red-necked Tanager, Brazil
Sometimes, I simply admire a bird for its beauty, color, and rarity, and the Red-necked Tanager is one of those birds. The bokeh and composition are fine, but a bird on a branch lacks the dynamic essence I typically seek. Still, the vibrant colors and unique charm of this bird make it a memorable shot.
Last edited:
