Reddish Egret

[Jim Crosswell]

This was taken at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg, Florida. All C&Cs are welcome and appreciated.

Canon 1D MK IV
500L f4
1.4 Extender
ISO 640
f9
1/3200s
Tripod

[Henry Domke]

The extensive feather clumping gives it a bedraggled look.
What is it about neck and back feathers of reddish egrets that causes them clump into long pointy groups?

That plus the squinting of the eye makes me imagine that the bird has had a bad day and is in a very bad mood.
I could imagine it saying "You had better stay away or I'll bite you!"

Technically it looks fine. It is hard to judge sharpening without seeing a full-sized image but this JPG seems a bit crunchy to my eyes.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Seems like a bad day at the office - this guy looks positively grumpy.
Your techs look great, Jim. Comp is nice, but I could see this working with a bit more room too.
Very nice work and TFS

[John Robinson]

Does seem a little crunchy as mentioned but stilla fine shot in my book. No big deal.
Cheers
JohnR

[Jim Crosswell]

Thanks Henry, Sidharth and John. I had two versions of this image so here is the other with no sharpening on the head and neck but some on the body. Any better?

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details and sharpness.

[David Salem]

Nice one Jim. I like the unusual feather of this species and the pose. The repost looks better in terms of sharpness IMO. Well done

[christopher galeski]

very nice Jim,like both post's,nice and sharp with great detail,TFS.

[keith mitchell]

Jim I prefer the repost, it looks like it might be a bit difficult to get those neck feathers looking right, looks like a really good shot to me.

Keith.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very nice image, I think on reflection the latter of the two is better, the lighting angle looks almost perfect all the plumage is well illuminated, his eye has a a kind of grumpy look about it, I like the composition and think a 4:3 ratio would work well too.

[gail bisson]

Very nice Jim. I agree the repost looks better.
Good, solid image of a very "grumpy" guy!
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

Love the ruffled feather pose, Jim. Well done.

[John Robinson]

Yes - the second.
John

[John Rowell]

Very nice, Jim. I like the second one as well, as it appears more like I remember seeing them. Thanks for the post, because I think my Reddish Egrets are suffering from the same over-sharpening of the neck feathers. Going to have a try at reworking some of them.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jim, love the detail on this fellow, but he sure does look grumpy. There's a fine line with sharpening to finer plumage, and I feel your OP is not too bad in that department, so maybe something inbetween your OP and your repost.

[Arthur Morris]

I prefer the repost. Otherwise a nice image as noted above. He looks better than I feel with the mother of all head colds :).

Where is Vinoy Park?

[Jim Crosswell]

I prefer the repost. Otherwise a nice image as noted above. He looks better than I feel with the mother of all head colds :).

Where is Vinoy Park?

Vinoy Park is in downtown St Petersburg just north of the main pier. Good luck with the cold.

[Holger Leyrer]

Beautiful image Jim! Love the colors of heron and great details. And i prefer the repost