Great Egret in Flight

420mm 6:45PM 1/1250sec f5.6 ISO200 5-9-2008

I was playing around with back-lit great egrets in flight, trying to show the light shining through the white wings. I thought this image was interesting. What I'm trying to learn by posting and reading comments made by BPN's members is to be better able to critique my own photography. This should be helpful in making me a better photographer.
So here's my criticism about this photo. First I'll start with what I like. I like the diagonal shoreline superimposed on the birds path, and the separation of light and dark. I like the right wing extended into the light area. I like the wing position and position of the bird. What I find wrong with is the bird seems grainy and not in proper focus. I think there is problems with contrast. The birds legs show no detail. I'm sure you guys can come up with more stuff. I would like to hear what you think about it.

Love the capture William. The details on the wings are great. I like that soft light. And the flight angle is impressive...:cool:

This has the makings of a fine image. I love the flow of the bird across the image. The lighting is soft and you have lots of detail under the bird. The noise can be removed with a noise reduction program or some selective blurring. The killer is the softness of the bird which you may be able to recover with stronger sharpening. The left wingtip behind the head of the bird takes your attention.

Hi Williams,

This looks like a painting. I would of love to see this image with some fill light.

William,
Could you post the technical data?
SS ISO etc.

Good self-critique! I like the light shining through the wing. Overall, it looks a bit dark, I would sharpen the bird some more and it were great if the egret would have flown toward you.

James: I posted the technical data below the image. I might add it was shot shutter speed priority, Sony A-700 Tamron 200-500mm no EV adj.
Before I respond to other comments I need to add that I took this photo before I joined BPN as a member. I have learned a lot in a short period of time from ya'll, and I have no doubt I would have shot it differently today.
Maxis: indeed some fill light would have been preferred, and now that I know about it, I will use it (bought a flash unit yesterday)
Axel: the image was quite underexposed, and when I lightened it I'm sure it this is what caused the graininess under the birds body. In retrospect I should have use a +1 or greater EV adjustment, or fill flash as Maxis has suggested. I did no sharpening at all post processing or anything but lighten and crop a bit. Now the question of the bird coming toward you or away from you. The way I look at it is a bird coming toward the viewer is leaving the scene, and away, he is entering the scene. I don't know if this really matters. When flying away from you , you see more or less what the bird sees and toward you you have no clue what the bird sees, but you definitely have a better view of the bird. Are you interested in seeing the bird in fine detail or are you interested in a photograph in which a bird is an important element, yet the overall composition is what matters? John: Yes, I guess that feather behind the head could be pretty easily removed. I did notice it earlier, but forgot. Thanks for reminding me.
Thanks for everyone's comments. Excellent!!

William,

Good to know you have a flash now. Go and get them!!

Keep them coming!