Reddish Egret WM

Gallery: AvianPosted February 26, 2011459 views29 comments

Egretta rufescens

This was taken while I still lived in Florida at 7:15 am in the month of May. The egret was in breeding plumage and was hunting on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. I had great light that morning for photographing the creamy whites of the white morph.

I love the pose with the wingspread, the small incoming wave and how the bird was focused on what it was doing and not me. At first I wished for a little more of a head turn but I do like that I have a view of both eyes in this photo.

Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 250, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 250mm, 77% of the original frame, natural light, not baited.

Because I was laying in the sand the egret wasn't concerned about my presence and came close to me. Rotation adjustment, slight increase in exposure in RAW, sharpening for web. Larger version provided for evaluation of sharpness and details.

As always I sincerely appreciate your comments and critiques on my images and that you use your valuable time leaving them. Thank you for looking.

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 26, 2011 at 8:23 AM

Mia, I like this shot because it captures the behavior of the Reddish. I just have not seen a WM before. The exposure of the whites is excellent. I also like the intense stare of the bird on his hunt. I do wish there was a little more room at the bottom to make the object of his stare more apparent.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 26, 2011 at 8:27 AM

Thanks Harry!

I also wish I had a little more room on the bottom but don't because of the rotation adjustment I had to make, it would ave paid to keep things level!

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 26, 2011 at 8:34 AM

Spectacular pose and white exposure Mia. I like the colors in the setting, the incoming wave and the strong IQ. One of my favorite shots of yours. Excellent.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 26, 2011 at 8:36 AM

Just love the colors in this shot Mia. The exposure on the whites could not be better. Great pose and I love the water. love the overall comp and DOF. Really nice.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 26, 2011 at 9:29 AM

Mia: The first thing that I noticed on this image was the terrific exposure on the whites of the Egret. Studying the details in the larger version shows all of the details you could ever hope for. The small gradient of color in the water background creates a nice visual flow for me. Nicely done.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 26, 2011 at 9:53 AM

just beautiful, Mia. the pose is fantastic and the whites are truly beautiful. I have mixed feelings about the lack of eye contact--on the one hand, I think a little more eye contact would give this even more impact, on the other, I appreciate the bird's intensity and focus along with, as you say, the fact that we can see both eyes. So I don't think it detracts, particularly since it is so in character with the species' hunting behavior. Love the colors and the wave too--really a nice looking image.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 26, 2011 at 10:22 AM

This is very nice Mia, fantastic pose and sharp details.
I especially like the waters color here - perfect

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 26, 2011 at 11:57 AM

I agree with all the comments you have made Mia. Beautifully done in all respects.

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

Comment posted by wade pettitt on February 26, 2011 at 1:20 PM

Mia, i love the pose and the exposure is perfect. I do wish for a little more room on the bottom but understand your situation with the level. Well done!!.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 26, 2011 at 2:01 PM

Wonderful pose, exposure is spot-on.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 26, 2011 at 4:11 PM

With the wings out as they are, it looks as though it spotted your camera and is posing just for you Mia. Nice shot, nice exposure, nice detail.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2011 at 6:08 PM

A wonderful pose, excellent comp and feather deatil Mia

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on February 26, 2011 at 6:09 PM

Stunning. Shows the body of the egret in a very unique way. I associate this species with you.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 26, 2011 at 7:07 PM

A lovely bird and image. The pose is excellent. Exposure is on target. The colors are soft and natural.

Well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 26, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Excellent exposure on the whites. The blue water and white bird are striking. The wings open pose suits the image well. As always excellent.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Andrius Pašukonis on February 26, 2011 at 8:21 PM

This is simply beautiful! I love everything about this picture and the white plumage detail is just amazing. I also really like how the blue around the eye matches with the environment.

Registered on July 23, 2005, 111 Posts, 408 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on February 26, 2011 at 8:48 PM

Beautiful capture Mia... I love seeing the pose and how lanky these guys are when extended as such. Great details and it looks like you nailed the exposure. Nice work!

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 26, 2011 at 9:18 PM

Hi Mia

You captured the pose of this Egret marvelously

The larger photo shows the fine detail , color, and exposure.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 27, 2011 at 2:28 AM

Another superb image from you Mia... the exposure on the whites are great, and the BG color compliments the bird ..and placement on the frame is perfect..well done..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 27, 2011 at 4:59 AM

Lovely shot Mia - almost looks 'naked' with the tail not visible and the big 'drumsticks'

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Joe Paratore on February 27, 2011 at 7:29 AM

Mia,
Outstanding just outstanding!!!!! WOW

Registered on January 31, 2007, 40 Posts, 160 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on February 27, 2011 at 10:27 AM

Mia, i like this one as is. Mostly i like the total concentration on its aim and not to you. That's means three things 1) priority is clear in its mind: food comes first (at least in that moment) 2) you were so discrete that you were not a cause of annoyance or danger and this is good 3) it thought: "Again, another photographer!! Always when I'm heading for breakfast. Maybe I might ask for royalties ..."

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on February 27, 2011 at 3:07 PM

Just superb Mia! The exposure and BG just are spot on!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 27, 2011 at 3:31 PM

Very nice image Mia

The whites are cracking

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 27, 2011 at 6:28 PM

Hi Mia,
Given the choice of a bird going about it's business, or one staring at the camera I always like the former. There is a lot of impact here with the spread wings, and I like that you really nailed those whites so that we can appreciate the detail. I also like the windswept front feathers. Now if only that left wingtip was sharp too..

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 27, 2011 at 9:01 PM

Geez Mia the light here is beautiful. I love these guys and always hope to see one here at Ft. DeSoto. Great shot

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 28, 2011 at 7:28 AM

Wonderful pose, Mia. I do appreciate it. Perfect exposure on wites.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 28, 2011 at 9:42 AM

Another lovely image the exposure is very good giving some great detail

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 1, 2011 at 12:03 AM

Some how I missed this one but glad I spotted it now. One of the best images I have seen getting detail out of the whites without blowing them out. Wonderful wing span showing feather detail, excellent image, the larger version was a pleasure to view.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments