White Morph Reddish Egret with Reflection

[Bob Blanchard]

Captured Saturday morning. I liked the feel on this one. The foot up and water drop coming off the beak added a nice touch IMO. I'd have liked a catchlight, but other than that I like it.

Canon 1DsMII, 600mm f/4L, f/4, ISO 200, 1/640, plus one and a third EV (verified by histogram), Using BLUBB in a Frisbee for support at low POV:

http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/280205275_HSki5-X3.jpg

[Sid Garige]

I like the intense look and pose. Not sure of the reflection though.

[Roger Clark]

WOW! Excellent.

Roger

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Very intimate - it feels like you've been shoulder to shoulder with it.

[Kirk Benson]

I really like this very much as presented. Dark BG on top adds great contrast, subject has sharp detail and I like the way the reflection fades away toward bottom. Very well done.

[Philip Lombard]

This is just fantastic. It is sharp but the fog subdues it for a romantic effect, which also enhances the BG. The reflection is awesome as it is visable but subdued and does not fight the picture for dominance. In my opinion it is a winner.

[Cindy Cone]

This is a winner in my book, too! I agree with the two previous comments. The white morph is such a beauty, anyway, and this setting is perfect for it. Where was this taken?

[Bob Blanchard]

Thanks all.

Cindy - this was captured out a Ding Darling, near the tower (but I got down at the water line for POV). I had one alternate pose that I think may be better. Hope I'm not breaking the rules by adding it to this thread and getting your opinions:

Same exif as original, just a different pose:
http://CatcherofLight.smugmug.com/photos/280205992_AfjeX-X3.jpg

[Leroy Laverman]

Very lovely shot. I like the first post best. The raised foot puts it over the top. Thought it could use a touch more sharpening. Especially around the eye.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hey Bob,

Love the composition and reflection on this one. I have to agree with Leroy's re-post with a little more sharpening. Did you use fill flash?

[Bob Blanchard]

Thanks all. I agree the sharpening helped. I'm always reluctant to sharpen, but have gotten better at it (thanks to the SWFL IPT), so will touch it up a bit.

Maxis - No flash was used. It is presented as it was created. Only crop and a few sensor dust spot removals.

[Cindy Cone]

Thanks for the info, Bob. I wondered if it was at Ding. Thanks for the info - I haven't seen one there in a long time. Guess it's time to get back there and start looking for this guy.

I like the re-post, too.

[Arthur Morris]

I liked it from the get-go and Leroy's re-post is excellent. Love the mood and the fog. It is difficult to make dark-above light-below images work but you did so here. Way to go.