Reddish Egret looking for a meal.

[Mike Delgado]

Light was harsh but I gave it a go anyway. Photo taken at Ft Desoto Park.

Nikon D4
Nikon 500mm F4
F-Stop 6.3
1/2500 sec
ISO 640
EV -4

[Marina Scarr]

I think you handled the harsh light well here, Mike. There are a number of subjects you can photograph in harsh light. You did well getting light under the wings. If this were mine, I would recrop to remove the top horizon line.

[Diane Miller]

What beautiful light, and a great catch of this very active bird! Great detail on the bird, but I see what looks like some over-sharpening artifacts on the head and neck. Conversion to JPEG probably added to them. I'm curious, do you use Canon DPP? I've seen these little crystal-like artifacts with its sharpening. It seems to over-sharpen edges and over-smooth more featureless areas. Still struggling with the best settings. ACR does better for me except at very high ISOs -- 3200 and up.

I agree with Marina about the crop -- the light on the bird is so lovely you don't want any distracting elements.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice pose and I like the way the water looks, Mike.

[jack williamson]

Harsh light handled well, the bird is sharp, maybe too sharp as Diane has noted. The colors in the water from near to far are awesome.

[PhilCook]

Agree with previous observations...but overall a beautiful shot, exposure well handled...liking very much the soft colors to the backdrop/water

[Troy Lim]

Re-crop or clone out the top. :)

[Michael Libbe]

Beautiful light and image, Mike! I agree about the crop or clone from the top. The water colors are indeed beautiful!