Great Egret enhanced with original shot

http://i.pbase.com/o2/44/773144/1/11...0001_1copy.jpg

Great Egret in flight across the lagoon that will hopefully be a highlight for the fortunate few among the 2010 SW FLA President's Week IPT.

The enhanced image was brightened, sharpened, and rotated slightly.

A memorable image taken here which Artie posted in his blog was with his belly and chin seemingly in the mud for the shot.

I regret to report that the dead tree branches in the lagoon which the wading birds have ideally perched on in the past have been noticeably disintegrating.

Venue: Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area, Ft Myers Beach, Florida USA
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
2009/10/08 09:08:05.2
Image Size: 5616 x 3744
Focal Length: 840mm
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Metering Mode: Multi-Pattern
1/2500 sec - F/5.6
Exposure Comp.: -0.7 EV
Sensitivity:
White Balance:
ISO-250

I like the light and BG. If the wings were all the way up or down it would be even stronger. I would put the bird a bit further to the left in the frame.

The wing position here is common for such a large bird. To see otherwise can typically only be expected at takeoff or landing. The unexpectedly deleted attachment offered a view for further critique. The image that remains is the original shot.