Hit and Run

I'm still pretty well tied up behind the scenes finishing up the new forum and don't have a lot of time to comment.
So Kerry and Denise have afforded me special dispensation to post an image and comment on other images at a later date. Thanks Guys!

I started photographing "Blurs" about 15 years ago. As a matter of fact, a pan blur Spoonbill I posted on Photomigrations was a catalyst in my getting to know Artie Morris.

For years I have had a gallery on my website called "Abstract Nature", all images were generated in camera (old school). I love this stuff.

Thanks in advance for viewing and your comments. Be assured, once my schedule clears up I will reciprocate.

This image is from Alafia Banks 3 weeks ago.
Reddish Egret
Nikon D700 Sigma 300-800mm @ 700MM
Manual Exposure @ 1/15 second F5.6
ISO 400
Tripod with Mongoose 3.5A

James, I love the graceful flow of the bird. The water coming off it's feet looks awesome. Very nicely done and thank you for sharing your specs.

Like the head turn, the motion in the wings, and the water drops off the feet. Did you sharpen them a lot? Love the energetic feel of the image.

James, I am old school as well and love to get the effects in the camera. I really like this blur. What I really notice is the amount of bird that is actually in sharp focus, even though it is blurred. Does that make any sense? I saw a reddish for the first time a few weeks ago. I think it is fairly unusual for California. Thanks for sharing!

Jackie,
I sharpened it pretty much the same way I do all of my images.
After resizing for post, I create a background layer and then make 2 or 3 passes of Smart Sharpen @ Amount 40% and Radius .03.
If over sharp, I adjust the opacity.

Thanks for asking.

Hope to see you posting here more often. The new BPN is great, much more interactive. Thanks for sharing your PP workflow. Really like this image.

This is such an excellent composition, James. Very pleasing and graceful. I like the bg and as if the egret is leaping towards a light source. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent composition. I like the amount of blurring and the in-focus areas and the water coming off of its feet.

The wing motion and the water streaks put this over the top. TFS.

Nice image and application, James.

Like the flow of the motion. Nicely applied.

Nice work, James! Love the graceful flow and upward motion of the bird.