Fort DeSoto's Big Red

It was a cloudy, dreary day at Fort DeSoto when this Reddish Egret came out for a little dancing. The image isn't as sharp as I would like, but I like the hi-key effect and maybe this image lends itself to a more artistic look. I'm interested in hearing how others might have processed the image and whether you would have even kept the image.

Equipment:
Canon 7D on a tripod
Canon 500 f4
1/1000, f5, ISO 800
Manual mode, evaluative metering
No flash

Processing:
Straightened image
Removed partial leg reflections from center bottom
Noise reduction
Sharpened the face only

Great high key image and the pose is cool too. I really like the water trail. Looks like the shot as I was arriving to the spot since just just missed this bad boy by seconds :(

Michael

I really like the breeding plumage! The stretched legs with water dripping is a plus, for sure.

I could see just a tad more selective contrast on the Reddish, but It's definitely a keeper in my book.

Miguel

I like this alot, Michael. I'm a fan of well high-key images and this one fits the bill. The take-off pose is superb and love the trailing water drops. I find the subject a bit dull (no doubt due to the light you had) and there is a bit much extra space below IMO. For the repost I lightened the midtones and darkened the blacks via "levels", then added a bit of saturation via the sponge tool. Small crop below ...of course all this would look better working from the original file...

Very nice shot.
Excellent timing.
I really like the pose, the water drop trail really add to this shot, and love the high key.
Well done.

I like it Michael, As everyone has said the trailing drips ow water add to the shot. I like the darkened blacks on Daniel's repost.

Love the position of the bird, the trailing legs & water, and the soft gray horizon line. Hi-key is the perfect way to go. Daniel's tweaks bring out more of the color.

Daniel did exactly as I was thinking in terms of the crop. This image is quite delightful, esp the splash. As long as the head is sharp on a bird, you're good to go, and the head looks sharp to me.

Very nice high key image. I would love to see a version btw the two crops. Well done.

I like the arcing water trails, sharpness and composition in Daniel's repost. Nice image Michael.

Love the high-key and the trailing water. Very well done

Nice shot and great complementary background.

very nice image,like the trailing water,some nice detail in the bird,well done.