Green Heron

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image at Circle B Bar Reserve early Monday morning. I wish I could have gotten more separation between the bird and the background, I had to soften shadows and out of focus vegetation. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/1000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering +1 EV ISO 720 AWB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10, work on the background to soften harsh shadows and out of focus vegetation
Cropped for composition and presentation

[gail bisson]

I really like the fluffed up pose and the diagonal line created by the perch.
I think you did an excellent job on the BG.
Love the clear view of the feet.I like the detail in the feathers around the top of the legs.
I wish the bill didn't intersect the perch but other than that all looks good to me!

[Karl Egressy]

Hi Joe,
You captured an excellent pose with the crest up and ruffled feathers. The diagonal perch also works well.

[Ross Taylor]

Hi Joe,

I love the raised crest of that Heron, and how the background color contrasts with the bird. I quite like the vegetation at the lower end of the perch.

I get the impression that the eye is a little out of focus. If you see that on your end, perhaps a little localized sharpening can correct it.

TFS
Ross

[William Dickson]

All looks good to me Joe. Fantastic pose and the veg on the bottom RHS completes the frame well.

Will

[Gerhard Weldhagen]

I have to agree with Ross about the eye - it looks like its just out of plane with the feet (which are in excellent sharp focus on my screen). Overall the bird is well complemented by the background.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing and commenting. Very much appreciated...

Ross and Gerhard, I checked where the focus point was at the time of image capture. The active focus point was on the top of the head at the eye. I think maybe the hard edges of the feet make them appear sharper. Thanks again for viewing and commenting.