THEME: tricolored heron in stealth mode

[annmpacheco]

Taken in Florida last February. The hunting style of this heron is interesting and provides great opportunities for action captures. The heron will hide the reflection of his neck and beak by tucking his head up under one wing and when a fish is in sight he strikes! I was pleased to capture this specific pose where he is "hidden" both under and in the of back of the wing feathers.

1Dx
840mm
ISO 1000
7.1
1/3200

[David Roach]

Love love love the pose. The wing sweeps, hidden bill and that broken knee... Slight bummer on the dark streak in BG. TFS

[John Mack]

The pose is terrific not something you see everyday. The details look nice as well. Wish the bird was on the right side of the frame. Or maybe dead center would even work.

[Colin Driscoll]

Quite the contortionist! There's an interesting story to be had here about the defensive adaptation by the fish to seeing the heron outline, the herons realizing that they weren't being as successful lately and working out that the fish could see them so they should change their profile, all over a long time. Yes the bird could be more to the right in the frame if you have the room. Then there would be less of that black strip showing. Lovely light.

[greg cowle]

Dynamic pose, excellent details. Agree to moving the bird back to the right if you have more, if not a squarish crop with the wing close to the edge.

[dankearl]

Your processing always look terrific, a 3d look much of the time. Nice work.
Fun pose..

[Paul Burdett]

Stunning shot Ann. Lover that pose and that red eye! TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

What a beauty, such elegance and beautiful colours, I am sure that dark band could be softened quite easily, it doesn't really bother me but having had it brought to my attention it does catch my eye a little. The heron's eye is terrific!