Egret on the Wing

Great Egret caught flying along the Trinity River, Fort Worth.
40D, 100-400@400mm, f7.1, 1/1000s, ISO400, handheld. Cropped about 1/3rd. I blurred the background in PhotoShop to make the bird stand out a bit more.

Haven't been able to get out for Fall colors. Down with the crud!

You know, for some reason this brings me closer to the bird than most photographs bring me. I don't know why. I can only guess that it has something to do with this particular capture, the extension of the legs, the coil of the neck, the articulation of the wings, and maybe even the soft glow of the light on the feathers. I'm glad you were there to catch him and bring him back for us to see.

Yes, I'm having the same feeling as Randy here but for me it's because it feels 3 dimensional. There is a depth to this that really makes this capture stand out. Great job on this one Daniel!

Purists would want that white object in the bg cloned out and that would be easy enough to do. Just a thought.

Cool shot----such detail and depth in the egret.

Wonderfully graceful, well done Daniel.

Daniel, you have a winner here. I agree with the other comments, the egret really stands out against the background.

Here is a version with the white plastic trash clone-stamped out. Definite improvement!

As long as you're at it, you may want to clone out the tiny white dot just in front of the tip of the beak.

I am pretty envious of those who get these good flight shots! Nice job. I agree the little clone work made improvement.

Great job on this one Daniel. Keep them coming!

Really a beautiful in flight shot Daniel. I agree with your blurring the background.