Incoming Black-headed Heron

[Stu Bowie]

At this location, I get a fair amount of opportunities of these herons coming into perch on their nests. The angle of approach is always different, so I get to choose which image works better than the next. Taken last sunday morning. Added a slither of canvas on top.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +2X TC. 600mm ( given to me to use for the morning )
1/3200
F/7.1
ISO 640

Manual Exposure
Hand held

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Sharp, well exposed, excellent pose with nice angle in frame. What makes it for me is the head in the lower right corner! Adds a lot to the story telling.

Cheers

Randy

[Arthur Morris]

Ripping sharp, and I too like the inclusion of the nest mate. Bummer on the shadow on the top of the near wing; had the image been made when the wing was fully extended/back, the shadows might have been awarded. None-the-less, this is a top-notch image; love the open bill and the out-stretched feet.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Hey Stuart. Nice timing on the landing. Excellent sharpness, and the awaiting mate add a lot to the shot.

[Grace Scalzo]

That bird in the lower right corner is a nice little surprise in this image. Landing pose is dynamic. The grey feathers in the bird's neck look slightly over-sharpened to my eyes, easy to back that off a bit if you see it too.

[Marina Scarr]

Very nice landing pose and tack sharp. I love seeing the nest mate but would have missed it unless I hadn't read the other comments. Shame on me for not perusing the entire image.

[Bill Dix]

Love it. This one has it all: great wing extension, open beak, wonderful comp, eager nest mate, and of course the top-notch techs.

[Andre Pretorius]

Pin-sharp, Stuart!

Very well exposed or great PP work with those underwing whites I tend to blow!:t3

Great detail all over.

Well planned and executed image.

The colleague on the left seems a bit aback!:eek3:

[vishaljadhav]

Lovely exposure, the pose is fantastic and lovely timing
the head position is lovely, the details are fantastic
love it

[gail bisson]

I love this Stuart! Tack sharp and love, love,love the head in the LLC.
You nailed this one. No nits from me,
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the feedback everyone.

[Girish Prahalad]

great pose & pin sharp subject. exp & comp looks superb.