Yellow Crowned Night Heron

[Alex Becker]

Hi all,

Here's a Yellow Crowned Night Heron from a couple days back at the Jersey Shore. I have some other shots in the nice am light and more in the open, but I liked the framing of this shot as well as the very open pupil. Plus I got a kick out of the expression. In post, I did some tonal adjustments, some light noise reduction on the bird and heavier on the background, sharpened. About a ~30% crop.

Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: 200-500mm f/5.6 at 500mm
Specs: 1/2000 ISO 1800 f/7.1

Thanks for looking!
Alex

[Juan Tolentino]

Great pose and detail Alex, great DOF. I like the eye and those raised feathers. I'd prefer a less busy surrounding and a cleaner BG, but sometimes is just not possible, we'll wait and see what others think. Thank for sharing and commenting!

[Jess M. McKenzie]

Alex, this is one of those images that hit me right in the gut, and I thank you for it.
I like the BG also because it shows the bird in its element -- I hope you don't take any of it out.
Regards... ~jess

[Alex Becker]

Thanks Juan and Jess for the kind words, critiques, and your thoughts regarding the setting here. Always appreciate it!

[Gabriela Plesea]

This is lovely, Alex!

Nice detail on the subject and I like the environment. Good HA too, as well as expression (subject so alert and attentive). Love those raised feathers!
Well captured and wonderful PP work, do keep them coming

Kind regards,

[Alex Becker]

Many thanks Gabriela for your kind words -- I'm glad you like the environment and that my PP work is coming along. Best, Alex

[stuart wanuck]

still a nice capture