Preening Rainbow

[Shawn Marques]

Cattle egret in breeding plumage. The image reminds me of a pastel chalk drawing with the soft, blurry edges. Should I crop it some of the lower leaf out? Originally, I had it cropped that way but then had a change of heart. Let me know what you think of it. Thanks for looking!

Canon 40D, Canon EF600mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
1/160S @ f/8, ISO 100
Canon Speedlite, Better Beamer
Gitzo carbon fiber tripod, Wimberley mount

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the preening behavior, exposure control, details and BG. I'm not so sure about the leaf in the foreground.

[Adams Serra]

Hey Shawn,
Beautiful bird in breeding plumage,i would take some off the bottom and the left side.

Adams

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Very striking pose in this image and nice breeding plumage and color. I agree with Axel about the leaf but sometimes they are unavoidable. Like this a lot !!!

[Shawn Marques]

Thank you all- then crop it up it is! :)

[Anita Rakestraw]

Love the way those head feathers swirl in a circle! Great colors in this, the title sure fits! While I don't mind the leaf, it is purer without it. Great capture, IMO!!

[Gus Cobos]

Great capture Shawn. I like the action and the pleasing habitat. The details are good...:cool:

[Jim Poor]

Very nice. Count me as a dissenting vote against the crop. I like the leaf for the sense of intimacy it gives. Almost like you're peering into the CE's home from outside.