Excited Squacco Heron

[Stu Bowie]

This Squacco was fishing right infront of the hide, when another Squacco came in on the right. This one was wasnt very pleased and started to display his annoyance. Taken early morning, and the light hadnt quite reached this area yet.

Canon 1D Mark IV
100-400 @ 180mm
1/1000
F/7.1
ISO 1250

Manual exposure
Hand held from a hide

[dankearl]

A very attractive bird, beautiful color and the pond BG really sets it off well.
Perch is terrific also.
You produce one after another, Stuart.
Great birds in your part of the world.

[Robert Holguin]

Beautiful shot.
Love the fluffed up feathers, excellent details, great perch, and love the slight view of it's habitat.
Well done.

[Frank Schauf]

Nice clean image of this species, Stuart.

[Arno Ellmer]

Superb Stuart !
The multiple hues in the plumage show up so well ,producing a terrific effect. Opportunity well taken.I also love the raised plumes , the perch and the show of the environment.
( Looks like she had a special funky hairdo for the New Year ! )

[Dudley Watson]

Lovely detail and separation from B/G. Well captured Stuart

[Karl Egressy]

Great looking bird in a nice evironment. The display captured is outstanding, Stuart.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Stu I reckon your experience shows in these images, you see the subject and quickly realise the potential and have your camera and lens ready to capture the magic moment. You have of course been ready for this one and what an eye catching image it is, I really like those plumes and the composition is excellent too, it is good to see the bird in it's surroundings.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the kind words and feedback everyone.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Quite a handsome individual, love the plumes and colours. The water looks pretty neat with the algae. Perch is very nice, and the higher vantage point worked well here. Too bad about the dark spot behind the legs, but not an image wrecker by any means...

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Sweet image, Stu. The comp is perfect and I love the pose you've captured here. Light, details and habitat depicted - all top notch.
Daniel already mentioned the dark spot behind the legs, and I agree that it's not bothersome. Superb image.

[gail bisson]

I really like this one a lot Stuart.
I have never seen a squacco with ruffled feathers like that.
Great color and detail in this shot.
The higher POV really strengthened this image.
Love the perch and the great view of the feet.
Well done,
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Stuart Sir,
What a lovely display of colorful and fluffy feathers ?
Love the pose,colors,details and view of it's habitat.Nice composition too.

Regards,
Satish.

[PhilCook]

A most unusual and beautiful bird Stuart, fine detail is superb and extra nice inclusion of natural surroundings ....the most extravagant "Powder Puff " I've seen in a long time.....lovely indeed

[David Salem]

Very nice puffy pose on this guy. Never seen one of these before. Great color and feather detail . Like the perch and comp also. Techs are perfect. Well done.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Stuart,
I think these are perhaps the nicest looking of the herons and you got a nice capture of the color and some habitat to boot.