A Treat for a Trick

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Only this trick is his manogomous mate LOL. I shot this image at Gatorland this past April. Looks like it was close to noon with the light but I do like the balance of the comp , the environment with the palm in the bg and the expression on the happy mate recieving her treat. These are Great Egrets and are very interesting to watch when courting and building the nest. Usually the male goes out and brings back nesting sticks and is rewarded with ... well you know the story LOL. I wonder does the image need the virtual leg room? Thanks for looking
Canon 1DMIII
100-400 mm f4.5 5.6 L IS lens
ISO 400 f8@1/2000

[gail bisson]

Very nice Cheryl.
I like the fronds in the BG and the repetition of the pattern in the feathers.
Whites are great for the time of day.
I can honestly say that I didn't even think about room for the virtual legs until you mentioned it.
Great HA and interaction.
Gail

[Dennis Zaebst]

Well done Cheryl. I think it's a very interesting photo of the nesting interaction with good whites, and good composition. And as for the legs, I would leave them out of the photo in general.

I have observed the exact same behavior in both Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets. This was at the Venice Rookery in Venice, FL. In fact, I have seen the female reject the stick, tossing it into the drink as though to say: "Can't you find a better stick than that?" , whereupon the male dejectedly set out again on his lonely quest. I also once observed a Great Blue walk across the rookery to a Great Egret's nest, steal a big stick from it (with much protest from the egret), then present it to his mate as if to say: "Look what I have brought for you!" Oh well, all's fair, as they say.

Best,

Dennis

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the interaction, setting and composition. I would like to see a version allowing room for the virtual legs but works great as presented. Well done Cheryl.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Well done Cheryl. I think it's a very interesting photo of the nesting interaction with good whites, and good composition. And as for the legs, I would leave them out of the photo in general.

I have observed the exact same behavior in both Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets. This was at the Venice Rookery in Venice, FL. In fact, I have seen the female reject the stick, tossing it into the drink as though to say: "Can't you find a better stick than that?" , whereupon the male dejectedly set out again on his lonely quest. I also once observed a Great Blue walk across the rookery to a Great Egret's nest, steal a big stick from it (with much protest from the egret), then present it to his mate as if to say: "Look what I have brought for you!" Oh well, all's fair, as they say.

Best,

Dennis

Thanks Gail and Dennis. Dennis yes it is quite amusing behavior.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice interaction picture, Cheryl. I don't miss the virtual leg romm at all. My attention is drawn to the action. I really like the female's bodu language.

[Marina Scarr]

Terrific behavior/interaction captured here, Cheryl. Love all the environment esp the palms in the BG which really add a lot of interest and an artistic quality.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Great pose from both birds, excellent head angles, love the interaction, sharp, and excellent comp.
Well done.

[dankearl]

Nice crop, comp, the light looks fine.
I like the palms in the BG a lot.
The interaction is very nice, you can almost hear them talking to each other.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Excellent behaviour Cheryl, I do like the closer composition. I would be tempted to add a little more at the bottom. Whites are perfect for the time of day, I like the building material and open beaks.

[PhilCook]

The backdrop palms are extra nice, complimenting the natural elegance of these birds, I really cant think of a single way to improve this....sweet as.

[Melissa Groo]

Beautiful portrait and behavior captured, Cheryl. I love how the feathers work at cross purposes with the fronds in the background. Even the nesting stick has an artistic flair. The open bill on the female is a big plus. Great job on your exposure.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Beautiful portrait and behavior captured, Cheryl. I love how the feathers work at cross purposes with the fronds in the background. Even the nesting stick has an artistic flair. The open bill on the female is a big plus. Great job on your exposure.

Funny Melissa but you picked the things I noticed the most all the way down to the artistic sway of the nesting material Thanks much:) Thanks everyone

[Satish Ranadive]

Wonderful image.Love the great interaction and great composition.Rest as usual superb.

Regards,
Satish.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent interaction Cheryl! it is a sweet shot