Juvenile Great Blue Heron With Dragonfly...

[Joseph Przybyla]

I watched this juvenile Great Blue Heron snatch this dragonfly when it flew too close. 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 VRII AF-S ED, image captured at 400mm
1/2500 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV 0 ISO 450 Auto WB, camera supported by a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2019 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped slightly for composition and presentation

[Dorian Anderson]

Nice close-up view, and the dragonfly adds interest. Pretty sweet he caught he plucked it out of the air! The bird is too close to the left side for my taste, and I think the greens are probably a bit overdone. I might also bring the dark down a bit to add contrast. Not much processing will do about the disinterested gaze though.....

[Bill Dix]

Nice capture by both of you. I like the way the heron is focused on his prey. His bill looks somewhat scruffy, but they get that way. I agree it's just a bit tight on the left, and maybe several points of black would help.

[gail bisson]

Hi Joe,
I have to agree 100% with Dorian on this one.
I do love that dragonfly!
Gail

[John Mack]

Love the dragonfly. Yes to being too tight on the left. The bird is nice and sharp.