Reddish Egret looking for a meal.

Light was harsh but I gave it a go anyway. Photo taken at Ft Desoto Park.

Nikon D4
Nikon 500mm F4
F-Stop 6.3
1/2500 sec
ISO 640
EV -4

Attachment 127452

I think you handled the harsh light well here, Mike. There are a number of subjects you can photograph in harsh light. You did well getting light under the wings. If this were mine, I would recrop to remove the top horizon line.

What beautiful light, and a great catch of this very active bird! Great detail on the bird, but I see what looks like some over-sharpening artifacts on the head and neck. Conversion to JPEG probably added to them. I'm curious, do you use Canon DPP? I've seen these little crystal-like artifacts with its sharpening. It seems to over-sharpen edges and over-smooth more featureless areas. Still struggling with the best settings. ACR does better for me except at very high ISOs -- 3200 and up.

I agree with Marina about the crop -- the light on the bird is so lovely you don't want any distracting elements.

Nice pose and I like the way the water looks, Mike.

Harsh light handled well, the bird is sharp, maybe too sharp as Diane has noted. The colors in the water from near to far are awesome.

Agree with previous observations...but overall a beautiful shot, exposure well handled...liking very much the soft colors to the backdrop/water

Re-crop or clone out the top. :)

Beautiful light and image, Mike! I agree about the crop or clone from the top. The water colors are indeed beautiful!