Great Blue Heron pre-takeoff

[Dennis Zaebst]

This is a second image in a series taken at the Venice Rookery in January at about 9:30 AM. It's similar to one I posted recently. I really like the wing position, and the IQ is a bit better than the other one. I didn't do much here; except: I had to add canvas at the left side because I had too much focal length and the bird was too tight in the frame. I followed the "quick and easy canvas extension" article explained by Richard Peters in the Educational Resources forum here at BPN (thank you Richard and BPN).

C/C always welcomed and encouraged.

Canon EOS 7D, ISO 800, 500 mm f/4L IS, f/9 @ 1/1250 sec. No flash.

[Richard Stern]

Hi,

I love this - very effective crop and placement of the bird in the frame. Good action well caught.

Richard

[Alan Murphy]

Great detail. A bit tight in the frame for me.

[gail bisson]

Hi Dennis,
Very nice.
I would add a bit of canvas on top as well ( ~5% of height) and sharpen the face a bit more. I would also like to see a bit more room for the virtual foot.
I like the lift-off pose and the shrubbery with the red berries.
Great BG as well,
Gail

[Arthur Morris]

Yes to sharp and a good EXP. Definitely too tight all around for me. I generally do not like this wing position but with the dramatic leaning pose it works for me here.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Thanks for the helpful comments everyone. I agree with it being too tight. Will add some space at the top and bottom and I believe I had some space at the right that I already cropped out.

Artie, by "yes to sharp" do you mean it needs a bit more sharpening, or that it looks sharp now?

[Dennis Zaebst]

Recropped to orginal full-frame, and added the same canvas at left. Also added sharpening in the face. What do you think?

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the helpful comments everyone. I agree with it being too tight. Will add some space at the top and bottom and I believe I had some space at the right that I already cropped out.

Artie, by "yes to sharp" do you mean it needs a bit more sharpening, or that it looks sharp now?

Both look more than sharp enough on the face to me. Repost is an improvement.

[christopher galeski]

nice one,repost better,sharp with good detail,like the take off pose.thanks.