I see you!

[Dennis Zaebst]

Taken last February at Ding Darling. The reddish egret was doing what it does to get a better view of the fish it hunts.

Canon 7D, ISO 800; 500 mm f/4L IS; +2/3 stop EV; 1/2000 sec. @ f5.6. PP in LR 4.2, luminance smoothing on BG; sharpening plus shadow & highlight adjustments on bird. This was a tough one because the bird's head was in fairly deep shadow from its wing position, requiring some local shadow boosting, which of course elevated the noise level in that area. Did I overdo it?

As always, C/C are welcome and encouraged.

[Shawn Zierman]

I think the PS work is believable. It's a fine behavioral image of this species doing it's thing.
The water has this liquid mercury type quality that I find appealing. That said, a lower shooting
angle was worth considering at the time of capture, particularly because I don't think the reflection
adds that much here...

[Joe Senzatimore]

Real nice post-processing. Might just darken the water a touch. Love the captured behavior.

[PhilCook]

I've not seen this hunting behavior in real life, only on telly, great moment captured Dennis. I think the head is a tad washed out looking from editing, just a very slight color and darkening tweak I think would look nicer myself. Considering the bright light and water glare I think the exposure overall is quite good with plenty of detail showing through.I think it's well done getting the head almost completely free from the overhanging wings as well as you have, you placed yourself well to get this composition, although a lower angle would of been a slight improvement in a perfect world.....something I struggle with more now at age 58 yrs hahaha

I love the water texture in this, particularly the wing tips breaking the surface, it makes the water look almost like syrup , particularly like the one tiny and dainty far wing tip touching the water ever so lightly.

[Dennis Zaebst]

Based on comments so far (thank you!) I have made a few adjustments; mostly because in the JPG uploaded, I thought the photo was just a tad too bright. Improvement? TIA!