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Green Heron
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Green Heron

by David White

Gallery: AvianPosted November 29, 2009116 views7 comments
Pictured is one of the herons that frequent Mud Lake, a small lake near downtown Ottawa that tends to attract a large number of a variety of herons. This one was fishing in the very early morning, so the light was pretty low, which translated into a fairly high ISO and slow shutter speed (luckily, the heron wasn't moving very quickly).

Once again, I had thoughts of cloning out the OoF leaves but, with the somewhat cluttered background (typical of the habitat), decided against it.

What I thought was ironic about the photo is that the bird, a green heron, is, in fact, about the only thing in the pitcure that isn't green.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on November 29, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Its a stretch, but his feathers do have a blue/green hue. He is sitting on a nice perch and the surrounding environment is quite nice. Well done!
Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments
Comment posted by Sally King on November 29, 2009 at 9:48 PM
I love the fine details in the heron while the background makes a nice contrast with the soft greens. The pose of the heron is wonderful with those big feet showing. The light is nice and subtle but warm. Beautiful image that I wish I had taken.
Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 30, 2009 at 12:31 AM
I'm not 100%, but I think that this may be a tricolored heron. I really like the detail and background in any event.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 30, 2009 at 4:46 AM
Like the shady secluded mood of this shot David

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Murali Santhanam on November 30, 2009 at 5:39 AM
The Heron is looking good with the background. There is adequate separation of the background from the bird. Good picture David. :toast:
Registered on July 31, 2008, 43 Posts, 331 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 1, 2009 at 5:35 AM
David,

I like the pose of your green heron and the setting.

If this were my image I would back off on the sharpening a little as the feathers on the back seem a touch crispy to my eye and I might darken the back ground a smidge so the green heron stands out better.

I would leave the OOF leaves though as I think they add depth.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 2, 2009 at 2:44 PM
What a pose, very nice image and bird placement, well done.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments