Reddish Egret
by Buck Ward
My intent was to photograph a landscape with the setting full moon large in the frame. The moon disappeared into cloud before it got close enough to the horizon. I was standing behind my fully extended tripod when this reddish egret showed up. My mission got redefined. While the reddish danced, I put the 1.4x on my 300mm and changed the camera settings from landscape to bird to try to get the egret and his reflection as I willed the sun to rise above the mangroves. He came in too close for the reflection but moved into the light. I would have preferred to be lower with him that close but I didn't have time to lower the tripod. I got several pictures, some with better wing position and some with better head position, so this is the compromise. I like his mane. Then he was gone to join a flock of snowies a hundred yards distant.
Canon EOS1D Mk III, 300mm f2.8 + 1.4xTC
ISO 400, f5.6, 1/800
Evaluative metering, Av, +2/3
Comments
11 commentsLike the old saying goes, sometimes it's better to have luck than skill. These egrets are a great looking bird. I would have added some turf to the top of the image.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.
cheers
Rob
Matt
I love to watch these egrets, they are very entertaining. I like the repost best with the additonal space above the bird.