Another American Bittern

[Michael Lotito]

Canon 1D Mark 4 With EF 500mm f4
1/1600 sec, F6.3, ISO 800

Just cropped for composition and sharpened.

Thanks for looking.
"Now that I have ruled out defective equipment it only leaves me that needs fixing." Thanks in advance for all critique and advice!

Michael Lotito
Aquebogue, NY

[Roman Kurywczak]

This is a cool one Michael!!! I think it works very well....except that I may remove the one grass touching the neck if you are OK with such things. I think the environs add a lot of interest to this image and very nicely done!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Very well done. Loved that raised foot pose and IQ is superb. You dont usually get to see Bittern shots on such clean BG...and those grasses are adding a lot too. Very nice eye-contact.

[Grace Scalzo]

I already told you in a private email what I think of this image, MIke!! Just outstanding. You captured something usual and your bird really pops off that nice background. Love his attitude. You could play with the comp and see if taking some off the sky works for you, but again, just a super image. You've worked hard on the bitterns!

[Ryan Schain]

Cool setting for this species. I like the sharpness and the classic AMBI pose. Great job!

[denise ippolito]

Something special for sure Mike. Now why didn't you find that bugger when I was there??!!:) I agree w/ Roman regarding the one grass but that is so minor-Well done.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Nice inclusion of the environment...The difference between the grass and sky looks good!

[Hendri Venter]

Top shot Michael. Love the pose with one foot up.

[Gen Benjamin]

Well done Mike, as others have said I love the lifted foot, how the bird pops off the ice, and the stretched out neck. Way to persevere to get "the" shot. Agree with Grace that trying different crops might work as well.
Gen

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Michael , what a great Bittern image in typical pose but what makes the image for me is the low angle of the shot and inclusion of the environment.. Composition , exposure and plumage detail is great. TFS.

How did you get so low ?

[Mark Young]

Awesome pose and composition. Exposure and details look great!