Yellow Crown Night Heron

[Don Lacy]

I do not see these guys very often let alone in a position to for a nice image. Photo was taken at Ft Desoto's North Beach in the morning.

40D, 500 f/4, 1/1600 at f/5.6, Manual Mode, Evaluative Metered, ISO 400, Raw, Tripod, clone out a bunch of grass off of the top of the dune.

[Arthur Morris]

Very sharp and the colors jump off the screen. I like the head angle. For me this one needs more room behind the bird, and I wish that we could see the feet.

How has DeSoto been?

[Don Lacy]

I have more room behind but there is nothing I can do for the feet:S3: Desoto was a little slow were you could photograph most of the birds were in the roped off areas which was frustrating but with a little luck and patience something normally shows up.

[Don Hamilton Jr.]

Don, a nice shot indeed. Does appear a bit tight on the left, the feet aren't a breaker for me, however it would make it a stronger image. The sharp eye, and colors, pulls me right into the image.
Congrats , on a great capture on a slow day!
Don

[arash_hazeghi]

looks nice and sharp!

[Roger Clark]

Don,

Beautiful image. The phase angle looks to be about 20 degrees, with the sun to the left. That makes the fine texture in the feathers so nice. Well done.

I agree with the comments about adding back a little space on the left.

Roger

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Very nice image Don. I'm enjoying the details and for some reason also the angle.
Agree that a bit more room to the left would improve it.

[Don Lacy]

Don,

Beautiful image. The phase angle looks to be about 20 degrees, with the sun to the left. That makes the fine texture in the feathers so nice. Well done.

I agree with the comments about adding back a little space on the left.

Roger
Roger I was very conscious on trying to get good light angles when possible following your post on the subject.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Great light and nice sharp detail...The eye is awesome, would also like to see a bit more space behind...but not seeing the feet doesnt bug me at all...lovely bird and lovely image

[Tom Redd]

Don, lovely shot. I agree, more canvas behind the bird, but the feet are not a huge deal to me. Cool eyes.

[Arthur Morris]

I have more room behind but there is nothing I can do for the feet:S3: Desoto was a little slow were you could photograph most of the birds were in the roped off areas which was frustrating but with a little luck and patience something normally shows up.

Thanks Don. We would love to see a more balanced repost. I knew that there was nothing that you could do to get the feet in the image. It is not a huge deal but anyone who can honestly say that they would not have preferred to have the bird standing atop the sand ridge with the feet visible needs to see a doctor :).

The year round roped off area has reduced the quality of nature photography opps there probably by about 75%. It was done originally to protect nesting birds but zero birds have nested successfully inside the roped off area. To me the whole thing is both bogus and unfortunate.

[Stu Bowie]

Super pose Don, and just love the sharp detail captured. I like the orange eye, and another vote for a tad more space behind.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Don, an excellent shot. Rarely do we get to see this species against that BG. The water color is gorgeous. perfect HA. Yes, to tad more room behind.

[Don Lacy]

Thanks Don. We would love to see a more balanced repost. I knew that there was nothing that you could do to get the feet in the image. It is not a huge deal but anyone who can honestly say that they would not have preferred to have the bird standing atop the sand ridge with the feet visible needs to see a doctor :).

The year round roped off area has reduced the quality of nature photography opps there probably by about 75%. It was done originally to protect nesting birds but zero birds have nested successfully inside the roped off area. To me the whole thing is both bogus and unfortunate.

Here is a more balance composition and yes a would have preferred seeing the feet but believe me I was thrilled just to get a Yellow Crown image especially against that blue BG.
The signs around the rope off area now say it is a crucial resting area for migrating birds which I found amusing since they kept taking off and re landing for no apparent reason.