Great Blue Heron

[Joseph Przybyla]

As Dottie and I were working our way along the trail back to the parking lot and car I saw this Great Blue Heron. I had the camera and lens, with the monopod collapsed, slung on my shoulder by the strap. My thoughts were... do I really want to set the rig up to photograph this heron, I have so many of them. I liked where the heron was thinking I could capture a few nature/environment shots. Extending the monopod and focusing I captured two frames when the bird took flight. This is the image as it leaps into the air. Image captured at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VBII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/1250 F/5.6 Matrix Metering 0 EV ISO 280 AWB
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for composition and presentation

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joe, I like the overall composition and vibrant colours, but for me I would like more DoF and certainly a higher SS, just my take.

TFS
Steve

[Ian Wilson]

I agree with Steve, a faster shutter would have avoided the hint of movement blur I see on the head and neck. Lovely environment. Regards, Ian.