Grey Heron territorial dispute

[Chris van Rooyen]

Another image from Sunset Dam at Lower Sabi rest camp in the Kruger National Park. The herons used the hippos as mobile "islands" from where they hunted for fish. There were more herons than hippos, which resulted in the occasional dispute when a newcomer tried to chase a competitor from his "island". About 50% crop, extended the top and left side for more space. Ran NR on the background. All done in LR and PS CC. Light slightly filtered, lightly overcast.

Camera Model: NIKON D3S
Date/Time: 2014:08:22 08:11:08
Shutter speed: 1/3200 sec
Aperture: 8
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1600
Lens: 600.0 mm f/4.0

[Mike Poole]

Sharp, great light, peak of the action, just bang on the money for me

Mike

[John Mack]

Great action. You have a good view of both of the birds faces. The Two toned background is nice. The image held up well to the crop.

[Dorian Anderson]

Really great action, Chris! So nice you got the eyes on both birds. The blue-brown BG is tough for me, particularly as it runs right through their necks. The light looks a bit flat, but the brighter heads demand most of the attention anyway.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent dynamic interaction Chris, love the we can see both eyes, I like the soft light and the small water drops

TFS

[gail bisson]

Love the action you captured. I have many frames of herons fighting but 99.99% of them lack eye contact from both birds.
Well done on getting 2 good HA's.
I would be tempted to raise the exposure a bit while protecting the whites,
Gail