Immature Little Blue Heron

[Phil Ertel]

This image of an Immature Little Blue Heron was captured on November 24th at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina at 9:32AM.

I like the pose with the bird scratching. I also like the bird in it’s environment. I would have liked a clearer reflection and the sun was starting to be a bit harsh.

Thanks for looking and of course any critiques.

Regards,

Phil

Camera: 40D
Lens: Canon EF500mm f/4 IS USM plus 1.4x
Exposure: 1/1250s at f/8.0
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Evaluative
ISO: 400
Flash: No Flash
Tripod

[Gus Cobos]

I like the composition Phil, with the reflection. The capture angle is a wee bit on the steep side, you can crop a tad more from the the right side of the frame, to off center your bird more, and add the same proportion of canvas to the left side of your frame...The whites look good....:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Phil Any time you get a strong reflection with harsh light go for it !! Just photograph the reflection !! Turn around later and you got a fine image!!!

You did well with the light and I like the pose. Undecided about the reflection, if it was stronger I would keep for certain but might crop as presented !!

[denise ippolito]

Phil, lovely reflection and pose!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice shot, with all the white, did you use any EV?

Jeff $

[Lance Peters]

Hi Phil - agree with the advice given above - nice looking bird - looking forward to seeing more :)

[Julie Kenward]

You did well! I'd like to know if you used any exposure compensation as well because the whites are nicely done.

[Phil Ertel]

I have been working in manual mode more lately. I am used to working in aperture priority mode which of course you know the EV comp. As you know manual does not. I have been taking notes but seemed to have missed placed them (old age is a terrible thing):eek:. So I am going on memory. If memory serves, I metered off the water thinking it was the best neutral color I had. I then took a quick picture and checked the histogram and highlight alert on the LCD screen. I stopped down one click (1/3) on the shutter speed tried again. There was information in the fifth box and no blinking highlights so I left the setting alone. Then I proceeded to capture a few of images before a large bird watching group scared the birds away. I processed the image in ACR; slightly adjusting exposure (reduced about -0.3) and the temperature.

Hope this helps and if you see my notes let me know:)

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love this shot Phil. Very well exposed and love the bend in the leg and the reflection, if it were my photo, I would take just a bit off the right. Never seen this bird before, thanks for sharing:)