Snowy Egret

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Sony A850~Sony 70-400G@400mm~ISO1000~1/100sec~F5.6~manual exposure~HH~overcast~12-19-2010~Houston,Texas~CS5
Seeing all these images with snow- best I could do in Southeast Texas is a bird with "snowy" in the name.
I know the perch is not natural, but it seemed to fit compositionally. Comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill

my website (http://avianimagesource.com)

[Desmond Chan]

I like the overall warm tone of this photo. Exposure looks good to me. The pose is interesting, too, with one of its leg raised. Not the best perch but don't see much you can do about it.

[pat lillich]

he is gorgeous - love the pose with the very detailed, slightly raised feathers on his head and the raised foot.

[John Chardine]

Sweet Bill. Beautiful warm light. I like the BG. The leg-up and head angle are great. I'd tone down the dark patch in the UL. Agree the perch could be better.

[Julie Kenward]

Agree with the other comments made; would add that I'd clean up the one small spot on the lower side of his beak.

Beautiful lighting William - it really gives his feathers a lovely warm feel.

[BillTyler]

I really like the way the nape feathers are displayed, as well as the raised foot.

Bill

[nancy hazen]

Bill, this is a great shot! I love the soft tones of the BG and you did a great job with the whites. Eventhough it isn't a natural perch, I like it. It looks as if he is on a tight rope venturing from the natural world to the suburban world. I like the comp very much.
Nancy

[WIlliam Maroldo]

Appreciate the comments alot. Background improvement suggestions noted. I should have mentioned it was 5:30 PM, near sunset, and although overcast the light was warm. I especially like Nancy's comment about the tight rope, because it is a rather narrow ledge and the bird was moving down it like it was a tightrope, and indeed flew off to the very natural setting of the reservior that is to the right. regards~Bill

[Brendan Dozier]

Very nice! Really clean composition. All been said. This bird is doing a tightrope walk in style! Got his cool yellow dress-up shoes on! lol