Puffy

[Kurt Bowman]

This Great Blue Heron wouldn't fish or fly or do pretty much anything except preen. I was prepared and hoping he would a least fish. In hindsight I do wish I would have stood up so the shoreline wasn't intersecting the head. But I still like the image.
Sony A1
200-600mm
1.4 TC
1/2500 at ISO 3200

[Wayne Niz]

Great capture, never seen a heron so puffed up almost looks like a different bird. Nice light you had there well done

[Brian Sump]

Kurt, great timing to catch the Heron in a rouse. Not as often seen IMO. Is this a juvenile?

The image quality appears fantastic on the new rig! Plus, you're no noobie on post processing...

Super sweet mottled bkg and nice even light.

Curious if you applied your normal sharpening? It just feels ever so slightly soft to my eyes, could just be me.

A real diggable frame amigo!

[David Roach]

This fluffy pose a nice consolation, I'd say. if you didn't mention it. would not have known that's the shoreline as transition is subtle. TFS

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp with a nice image design. He looks pissed. Mr. Sump, this is a bird of this year probably several months old as the fringes on the feathers are almost all worn away. In a perfect world, the head would have been turned at least one degree toward us. I also like the soft light.

with love, artie

[John Mack]

Fluffed up for sure. The framing is nice. Like the hair do.

[gail bisson]

I like this Kurt!
I quite like the 3 layers in the BG.
I like the soft diffuse light and the slightly hooded eye.
I would sharpen the eye and beak a bit more. They are not quite tack sharp to my eye. What was your f stop?
Gail