Defending a Lover

[Blake Shadle]

Our Plant City rookery is an amazing place, full of action. This image was made towards the close of the day on Saturday. This was made at ISO 800 with a little help from the SB800 flash.

With so many birds in one area, disputes are common and frequent. This bird noticed another Cattle Egret getting a little too close to its nest and mate.

Shooting Solution
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Tamron 70-300mm @ 240mm
Manual Exposure, 1/640 @ f/8, ISO 800
Flash fired at -1.33, Better Beamer
Hand held from the Hooptie Duex

Comments welcome and much appreciated :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great pose, details and flash work. I'm wondering if a wider crop would make it even better but am not sure.

[Brian Wong]

Hi Blake!

For me, this looks like a work of art! I love the colors and smooth background. It goes together well with the green foliage. There is a story, and the up wings, and open bill, and hop all adds up. It is a very attractive image!

[Fabs Forns]

Lovely pose, the green leaves give an extra touch to the compo.

[Gus Cobos]

Nicely done Blake,
Love the composition and action. I like it as is...congrats...:D

[Robert Amoruso]

I t works good Blake and you got some nice action. I like the branch too plus how you got him just coming off it.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like all the soft colours, very nice. The action looks good too.

[Steve Maxson]

A lovely image, Blake, as noted above. Great action captured, nice light, and the branch really adds to the composition.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hey Blake,

Very good timing and composition. The leaves add a lot to the image. You also did well with the fill light.

[Freddy Franzella]

Really cool Blake! he looks like he is smiling at you!I like the way you caught him in the air!

[Philippe Collard]

Hey Blake that's one excellent image. I love the high key look and the take off pose. The open bill ads a lot to the action too and these leaves are very pretty.

Well done!

Cheers,

Philippe.