Green Heron

I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve early Monday morning. I wish I could have gotten more separation between the bird and the background, I had to soften shadows and out of focus vegetation. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/1000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering +1 EV ISO 720 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10, work on the background to soften harsh shadows and out of focus vegetation
Cropped for composition and presentation

I really like the fluffed up pose and the diagonal line created by the perch.
I think you did an excellent job on the BG.
Love the clear view of the feet.I like the detail in the feathers around the top of the legs.
I wish the bill didn't intersect the perch but other than that all looks good to me!

Hi Joe,
You captured an excellent pose with the crest up and ruffled feathers. The diagonal perch also works well.

Hi Joe,

I love the raised crest of that Heron, and how the background color contrasts with the bird. I quite like the vegetation at the lower end of the perch.

I get the impression that the eye is a little out of focus. If you see that on your end, perhaps a little localized sharpening can correct it.

TFS
Ross

All looks good to me Joe. Fantastic pose and the veg on the bottom RHS completes the frame well.

Will

I have to agree with Ross about the eye - it looks like its just out of plane with the feet (which are in excellent sharp focus on my screen). Overall the bird is well complemented by the background.

Thanks everyone for viewing and commenting. Very much appreciated...

Ross and Gerhard, I checked where the focus point was at the time of image capture. The active focus point was on the top of the head at the eye. I think maybe the hard edges of the feet make them appear sharper. Thanks again for viewing and commenting.