Dawn Flight

[Paul Wolf]

First time poster, here. I just discovered this site and already I'm so glad I did! I think I'll learn a lot, here.

Here's my first one for critique. Great Egret shot at Brazos Bend State Park, Needville, Texas. Canon 1D MIII, Canon 100-400mm L, 250mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec., ISO 200.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Hi Paul,
Welcome to BPN!
Nice first post,I really like the pose,eye contact,light and wing position!

[Tony Whitehead]

Welcome, Paul. Good shot - I really like the backlit bird with the emphasis it puts on the plumage and bill. The BG works very well and conveys the sense of motion. Looking forward to more

[carole wiley]

Wow! Beautiful light, wing position and love the open beak. Light line across the horizon is a bit distraction but not enough to pull the eye from that gorgeous light. Welcome aboard.

[Arthur Morris]

Here's a big time welcome. How did you learn of BPN? This is a lovely image--the backlight and EXP control are great. I am sort of shocked that noone mentioned that the bird's head is angled away from you as that is the first thing that I noticed when viewing the thumbnail. You are, however, under arrest by the Head Angle Police. See the HAP thread in Educational Resources.

[Paul Wolf]

Artie, I see it!! I see exactly what you're talking about concerning the head angle, and after reading the thread you pointed out, I see the difference it makes in the viewer "connecting" with the photograph. What an invaluable nugget of information! Thanks. Oh, I heard about BPN over at whatbird.com. I visit that site to get help with my identifications.

To all that have commented, so far, thank you very much for your comments. I especially appreciate why you like it. That is why I'm so exicited about this site.

And Manos, I'm happy to hear from a Greek!. My wife and I spent three years in Iraklion in the early '70s. In fact, we were married there (no, she's not Greek). Absolute paradise, and the Greek people were just wonderful to be around. Crete is actually where I first became interested in photography.

Paul

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the info and for your kind words Paul. Do check out our Avian Identification, Behavior, and Nomenclature Forum for ID help.

[Leroy Laverman]

HAP citation not withstanding the light through the wings and beak are great. Excellent job with the exposure and colors.