Cattle Egret breakfast

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Not for the squeamish! :w3

I had to get tangled up in a few gymnastic moves I did not think I was capable of in order to get this one. I was in a flat bottom boat in a reasonably strong current on a river and had to get my shots in a hurry before the egret was lost out of site. The egret was gulping down a little bird which I believe probably fell from a nest somewhere and drowned (well, I hope so!).

Common adjustments in LR and one round of mild USM in PS.

All C & C's welcome.

Nikon D7100
AF-S Nikon 300mm f4 ED-IF + TCE14 II (630mm FFE)
f/7.1 | 1/2500s | 400 ISO | Handheld

[Marina Scarr]

Amazing capture and your hard work paid off. I would like to see a little more room on top or maybe even try for a vertical.

[David Salem]

I agree, great job capturing the action and the techs look good too. I agree with Marina also on the comp, a vertical would look better IMO. Well done

[gail bisson]

Wow! I have never seen a cattle egret eating a bird. Very awesome behavior captured.
Another vote for going vertical.
This would have been over the top if that boulder had not been behind the bird.
Good IQ and exposure.
Well done,
Gail

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Thanks for looking & the comments everyone! I've had it in vertical at first but hated it. A 1x1 kind of makes more sense to give the bird a bit of breathing space (I've also added a little bit of space at the top & bottom). WDYT?

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=148602&d=1421777310

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tobie, great sighting here, and cant say Ive seen a cattle egret eating a bird either. Great whites, good angle from the egret, and your repost with more room on top has turned out well. I would still come in from the LHS, and in doing so, add a touch more to the top. :w3