I was at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. I was photographing a perched Great Blue Heron when the bird took flight. After jumping off the perch the bird set it wings in a glide right at me screaming and squawking as it glided over my heat. So close it was impossible not to clip the wings. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.
Nikon D500
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED HH
1/2000 F/7.1 Matrix Metering EV 0 ISO 220 Auto 1 WB, image captured at 270mm
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2020 and Neat Image for noise reduction when needed
Cropped for composition and presentation
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
The first thing that comes to mind on this one: pterodactyl ! I can almost hear him screaming. I like the strong lines, soft clouds, symmetry. The centered comp works well for this pose. Not sure I would want him gliding over my head, having seen how they can stab things with that bill.
Joe, I've not seen many posted with wingtips clipped like this. Still processing the crop a bit personally but think I'd always rather have the full spread.
But on positives, looks sharp and the calling pose helps a more straight on shot. Colors look nice but of course, blue sky is blue sky versus color bkg. Whites maybe a touch hot on the forehead?
Looking good for me Joe....I may even crop some more of the wings, see how it looks...If this is almost full frame, I would try sharpening the bill/eyes a little. I bet it was great at the time of capture.