Egret - Zebra friendship

[Stu Bowie]

When driving through the Nature Reserve close to my house, I make it my mission of hoping to find Egrets perched on Zebra's in the early morning light. These Egrets feed of the parasites and ticks found on the Zebra's, and sometimes the Egrets use the Zebra's as taxi's, just to get around the reserve. Taken early morning, thus the slight yellow cast on the Zebra which I have left. BG as shot out of camera.

Canon 1D Mark IV
Canon 300mm F/2.8 +1.4 TC = 420mm
1/3200
F/7.1
ISO 800

Manual exposure
Hand held from the car.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stu, fantastic 'perch' very natural indeed.

Love the outstretch wings and with one leg/foot up. Have you added a Luminosity layer, I only ask because of the warmth in the image? If not, you could add one to bring a bit more depth/detail to the plumage of the wings.

Nice sighting.

TFS
Steve

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Stu - Great pose and placement in frame with a sweet bokeh too. Nice control of the whites. Steve's suggestion is a good one.

TFS,
Rachel

[Tim Foltz]

Stu, very cool and unique shot something we never see here in So. CA. Nice balancing act, perch BG and light.

-Tim

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent pose and exposure and a superb perch! TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Stu, just a thought, but if you have the content, what about moving the whole crop up, so the bottom trim is flush/starts with the larger black band and so you have a tad more area above for the outstretched wings????

[keith mitchell]

Agree with the above,not often that you can comment on the texture of the perch,it's a real good one Stu.

Keith.

[Stu Bowie]

if you have the content, what about moving the whole crop up, so the bottom trim is flush/starts with the larger black band and so you have a tad more area above for the outstretched wings????

Hi Steve, I should have mentioned, this is FF, so no more space anywhere. Adding canvas to the top would not be a problem, and then cutting off at the bottom as suggested.

[John Whaley]

Love this shot Stu. Great subject and lighting with the right exposure. Lots of detail in the white feathers.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone.

[Mike Poole]

I like this one a lot Stu, put a smile on my face. The pose of the Egret is great, looks like he's wondering why the perch is moving!

Nice colours and details through, especially on the Egret, Ideally I'd like a sliver more space up top and maybe left but not a deal breaker.

Mike

[Stu Bowie]

Here is a repost with Steve's suggestions. Taken off the bottom, added to the top and added some tonal contrast to the Egret.

[keith mitchell]

Stu I really liked your original post but this just does take it up another notch,very impressive.

Keith.

[William Dickson]

Hi Stu. Control of the whites is really good, and what a perch. The repost is the one for me.

Well done

Will

[Steve Kaluski]

Does RP work for you Stu???

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image of landing Egret with wonderful whites, beautiful colors and superb details.


Regards,
Satish.

[David Salem]

This time I'm late to the party but I had to stop by to let you know how much I like this image. The nice soft light is beautiful and you've captured lots of great details in the bird. The zebre perch is awesome and I do like the repost.
Well done Stewart