Color-coordinated Cattle Egret

[Diane Miller]

Shot yesterday as some thin clouds gave a little soft light -- not a common occurrence here. Canon 5D Mk III, 300mm f/2.8 IS + 1.4X III. Hand held. ISO 1600, f/9, 1/2500 sec. Cropped to 43% of full frame. Basic LR adjustments then to PS CS6 for some further lightening of shadows (the underwings can be dark even on a soft light day) and NR.

This one had apparently been fishing in the mud and its tail was dirty and wet, but I thought that gave it an interesting look.

C&C always appreciated and learned from!

[Ian Wilson]

Nice handling of the whites, good feather detail, interesting subject. Good to see those eucalyptus are good for something! Regards, Ian

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, Ian. The kind we have here are widely regarded as overgrown weeds. They imported the ugliest kind they could find, and planted them everywhere, for reasons no one seems sure about. With the continuing drought here on the west coat, about half of them have died in the last year. That might be merciful but as the summer fire season hits it's going to be a disaster.

[Phil Lanoue]

Color-coordinated indeed! This is outstanding. And nothing wrong with a wet tail.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Great shot, Diane! Well handling of the whites & shadows and as sharp as can be. Well done!

[Greg Oakley]

Very nice image Diane! Great behaviour and fantastic IQ and sharpness!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Love the IQ, nest material, processing. I also like the neck feathers overlapping the leaf. I do wish there was no shadow on the face, not much you could have done to prevent that though!

[Diane Miller]

Thanks, everyone! It wouldn't be that difficult to remove the shadow on the face.

[Binu John]

Great shot, Diane! Excellent exposure, action and IQ!