Snowy Egret

Gallery: AvianPosted December 6, 2009167 views20 comments

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: December 1, 2009
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 plus TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/350th @ f/8, -1/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS SC3 on Mac G4, crop at bottom only

Taken early before the sun had reached this part of the pond; white balance adjusted in raw conversion. I could have used a little lesss focal length to get the complete reflection: I ended up cropping away some of it to keep the attention on the egret. I could crop a bit from the left to decenter the bird but liked it as shown as well.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the larger version before commenting.

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 6, 2009 at 8:57 AM

This is the most gorgeous snowy egret image I have ever seen. I don't care a bit that the bird is centered. Love the colors in the water which set off the egret so well. I find white birds are hard to get to really "pop" from the background without them looking too bright and this image succeeds very well. I think you have done the right thing in cutting out part of the reflection if it isn't all there. It does keep the attention on the bird. I personally wouldn't crop any from the left because that would remove some of that beautiful background. Love this one a whole lot.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 6, 2009 at 9:00 AM

Richard,

This is outstanding. The light is exceptional, the egret is gorgeous and the water is to die for.

I would not crop any more than you have, the image feels very good to me from a compositional viewpoint.

Excellent as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on December 6, 2009 at 9:12 AM

A really great image, with wonderful colours on the BG. Perfect details on the subject.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 6, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Very good as posted . The water is amazing.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Bonar on December 6, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Great image. I like the detail in the feathers. At first I thought it might look better with the entire reflection, but after looking at the larger image I agree the crop you have works well to focus all the attention on the bird. I also like the light in the eye. Great job!

Registered on November 11, 2009, 25 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 6, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Simply put, a breathtaking image Rich and I like your comp choice very much. It's a little thing but I also appreciate seeing the adhesion between the water and the heron's legs, esp in the larger version.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on December 6, 2009 at 1:27 PM

Very nice. Love the colors and good job on exposure.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 6, 2009 at 1:29 PM

I knew this one was going to be special when I saw the thumbnail - and I was correct for the many reasons already mentioned by others. Also, I like the golden lores/golden water combination.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 6, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Just super Rich. What great water and details on the bird. The comp is great as is.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Donato on December 6, 2009 at 2:32 PM

Awesome image Richard

Registered on January 27, 2009, 29 Posts, 247 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on December 6, 2009 at 2:48 PM

SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 6, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Terrific exposure on this Snowy Richard. I LOVE the golden light n the water and it makes this much more than just another Snowy shot. Nicely seen and very well presented!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Diane Vatcher on December 6, 2009 at 4:15 PM

I was drawn to look twice at this photo. The elongation is truely wonderful. Colors show off the time of day and the color of the bird. I agree with all the others, do not change a thing.

diane

Registered on November 30, 2009, 8 Posts, 27 Comments

Comment posted by Reed Bowman on December 6, 2009 at 4:45 PM

great exposure against a very bright and lovely background

Registered on March 2, 2009, 166 Posts, 1058 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 6, 2009 at 6:23 PM

Very nice,Richard. I like the unusual color of the bg and the pulled in neck giving the bird an unusual outline.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 6, 2009 at 6:45 PM

Really beautiful as posted Richard. Simple, elegant and excellent color. I think you got the crop just right too.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 6, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Love the golden light in this one Richard

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 6, 2009 at 8:04 PM

Amazing colors and detail Richard. Love the reflection too

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 6, 2009 at 9:29 PM

A beautiful shot. The golden light on the water is magic--as good as it gets. The detail in the whites is really good too.

I'll admit though, the crop doesn't quite work for me--the half reflection leaves me wanting the whole thing. I think going just a little tighter would work better for me. But this is nit-picking on a spectacular image.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 7, 2009 at 5:49 AM

Beautiful combination of water,colour and bird Richard

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments