Great Blue Heron w/Gizzard Shad

[Danny J Brown]

The Great Blue Heron is very common in Missouri but really good at avoiding photographers. I was lucky to get closer to one than usual a few weeks ago along the Mississippi River. White on top of head getting warmish as the sun was starting to get a little higher than I like. Thanks!

Canon 40D; Canon 500/4 + 1.4 TC; 1/800; f/6.3; ISO 200; Gitzo GT3530LS Tripod/Wimberley II; Trekker T-100 Blind; Slight crop to 4 x 5 aspect ratio but almost full frame.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

They are very squittish here in CR as well... may be I should buy a hide:p

Love the light and clearness of the eye, even the fish features a good eye contact! BG is very complementary also, I see what you mean about the cropping ratio.

[Sid Garige]

Good job considering hard light conditions Danny.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I would love a tighter crop without legs even Danny or a bit more of the legs. But perhaps, you were trying to keep the viewer focused on the catch. well done mate, handled conditions very, very well and glad you got this close. :)

[Paul Randall]

Agree with Akos here, looks like you have the detail to crop closer on just the head. In the case of the legs I think that sometimes its all or nothing in regards to their inclusion in a shot like this.
Handled the light very well, great catch getting the fish in bill too:)

[Mital Patel]

perfect hunt. wish you would have cropped the legs as well a bit from right.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Danny, I like the curves in the neck, and good to see his little catch. My post above, of our grey heron looks pretty similar apart from the darker plumage on the neck of your GBH.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the sharpness of the heron and fish. The drop of water at the mouth of the fish and the one about to enter the water really add to the image. I agree with the others about the legs being in or out. Great image Danny!

[James Salywoda]

Excellent Shot! The snack really makes the shot for me another great image Danny.