Black-headed Heron

[Chris van Rooyen]

I created this image a year or so back at a bird sanctuary in Johannesburg, right on my doorstep.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Date/Time: 2007:07:21 15:15:45
Shutter speed: 1/4000 sec
Aperture: 5.6
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: -1/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Focal length: 500mm

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp and spectacular as expected. It looks as if the bird is calling while carrying the stick. Neat. Love the light on the near-underwing that wes reflected off the water.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely light, detail and behaviour, Chris. Eye is great. I might try and break up the dark line through the BG a little. Slight pity about the gap in the primaries in the far wing - may be patchable if so inclined.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Again, you have left me spechless, BG, BG color, pose, detail, sharpness, pose, moment, comp and species to die for. Big congratulations Chirs!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool capture. I like the details, stick, BG and don't think I've seen such a blue heron before. It would be great to see a frame with the far wing a bit higher.

[Doug Brown]

Very nice Chris; great behavior, sharpness, and BG. Sweet light too. I would remove the dark line below the bird.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for the comments guys. Interesting suggestion to remove the dark line - I often like to leave a suggestion of the shoreline.