Not Just Another Willet Image

I've got a lot of Willet frames under my belt, but I've never captured an image of one flying with a fish in its mouth! Photographed at last light yesterday with Arash. He taught me a few noise reduction tricks from his NR guide for this image post. I've been shooting the 5D3 almost exclusively since it came out. It was nice to get back to the 10 fps of the Mark IV, although I do miss the AF of the 5D3.

Attachment 115348

Canon 1D Mark IV, 600mm II + 1.4x III, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 2000, manual exposure, hand held

Excellent shot Doug, you def nailed this one. The fish makes it really special, it's the first time I had seen one with a fish! A shot like this require split second reaction and only the best of the best are capable to pull a frame like this. Sweet light and BG and great IQ. I am glad you brought out the MK4, you would have missed this frame with the 5D :bg3:

This is stunning capture Doug...Love the light, sharpness and pose...fish and visible feet are definitely makes this shot special.

Nice capture with the fish, Doug! Hoping to here more regarding the NR tricks!

FYI everyone, I'm seeing some JPEG artifacts in the image that shouldn't be there. I'm trying to figure out what exactly the problem is.

Doug, very nice light, detail and pose. Looks great for ISO 2000.

The light and fish are great.
I don't see the JPEG artifacts? What are you referring too?
Would like this one to be mine. Do you have the frame with wings fully up or down?
Gail

I also cant see any jpeg artifacts, you're being way too self critical Doug. This is great photography and the late afternoon light is excellent, noise reduction has made this silky smooth

This is just spectacular, Doug. You've nailed a splendid flight posture. Late evening light looks awesome, exposure is perfect and NR is flawless.
I've never seen an image of a willet in flight with a fish.

Ticks all the boxes for me - IQ, beautiful light, comp and the fish takes it over the top!

TFS,
Rachel

Wow!!!! Stunning image. Love the light, excellent background, excellent details, and the fish puts this shot over the top.
Well done.

Really nice flight shot and great details.

very nice image,nice light,some good detail,and the fish is a bankers' bonus:t3well done.

Excellent image!! Here is another version with a slightly different colour balance. It got rid of some of the reddish cast on the BG yet maintained the golden light feel.

Wow, this is a splendid shot! Love the amazing light, detail and background! Ofer's repost makes the image even better IMO.

Superbly done!

Hi Doug, well captured in flight, and with the near wing in the full downstroke position. I do like the late afternoon light and warm colours, and of course, the catch a bonus.

Sorry Gail. This was the best wing position of the bunch.

Many thanks for the comments and the repost.