Liftoff...

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this Snowy Egret taking flight along Black Point Wildlife Drive at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Merritt Island, Florida. I am amazed how the actions of birds mimic the action of athletes. A ski jumper will go down the ramp in a crouched position to spring and lock his or her legs for the flight. Birds crouch before taking off, leaping into the air as the wings beat down aiding in the lift. This image shows that action.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 55-300mm F/4.5-5.6 VR AF shot at 300mm (450mm FFE)
1/1600 F/8 ISO 220 -1 2/3 EV

[Andrew Robinson]

Really nice Joe. It looks like there might be some loss of detail in the whites on the near wing on my monitor but it is a beautiful image. You are very right about birds mimicking athletes (or the other way round), we were at the Nordic Skiing World championships in Oslo a few years ago and there was a brilliant shot on TV one night of a Hooded Crow leaping off the top of a pine tree that looked exactly like a ski jumper!


Andrew

[Karl Egressy]

Great moment captured, Joe.