Tri-colored Heron

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. There is a pond at an area where four trails meet. The pond has several wooden post with a yellow environmental float attached. When a bird that tolerates a close approach is perched on the closest post portraits are possible with a the marsh providing a pure background. To do this though one has to go to the waters edge, not a comfortable place at Circle B. Alligators, natures perfect ambush predator, are numerous with humans not distinguished from another piece of meat. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED image captured at 400mm
1/1600 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV 0 ISO 2000 Auto 1 WB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic CC, Photoshop CC 2019 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped slightly for composition and presentation

[Arthur Morris]

Pretty much perfect. I would not mind a tad more room above and in front of the bird. HA is perfect for this pose and subject orientation and the soft light is sweet as is the BKGR.

with love, arite

[Arthur Morris]

ps; I love how the purple tones of the BKGR match the purplish tones in the feathers.
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[Isaac Grant]

Really nice shot of this species Joe. You are lucky that they are so approachable in Florida. Up here we only get a few of them and they are beyond skittish and hard to approach. Great head angle and feather details. Lovely color palette as well as the complementary colors that Artie mentions. To me the shot has a slight blue cast and also could use a slight lift in exposure and to be warmed up a little.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Joe, incredible detail and sharpness, and you have brought the plumage so well. Killer smooth BG too. By using the mouse scroll, I would come up from the bottom a bit.

[Dorian Anderson]

The feather detail is outrageous, and I really like the pastel BG the soft light has created. Composition is perfect. Add'l NR on BG might help but isn't necessary.

[John Mack]

Great pose with very nice detail. I like the feathers at the end of the bill. The background is excellent.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice pose and a perfect HA, I like the feather derails, agree with warming up the image a bit

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing and commenting, very much appreciated.