The Early Bird Catches........?

[Richard Waas]

I guess this lucky bird got his early morning breakfast. It appears to be a little catfish. I photographed this image at Mzarek Pond at Flamingo in the Everglades around 8am. ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/800 sec, Sigma 80-400mm, 142mm Handheld, Evaluative Metering, Auto Exposure, Auto WB, No Flash.

PS: I was lying on the ground shooting through the bushes, grasses, etc. You know me, always getting into crazy positions....

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Mr. Waas,
I like the low capture...You have a good head angle and sharp eye...I adjusted the mid-tones and the contrast just a tad, also lightened the blue in the background...see if this presents best to you...:cool:

[Richard Waas]

I had it lightened as well, but it was early in the morning and the light was soft, warm and low and wanted it to present that way. Thanks for the input.....

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Richard if you were at Mzarek Pond the light was right into you !!!!

Since you had plenty of focal length would have used it to isolate the head and meal Would have cleaned up the bg !!! Nice catch !!!

[Nonda Surratt]

Good action Richard! I think the close-up head and fish would be cool

[Richard Waas]

Thanks for the idea of a tight crop. Next time I'll shoot for this. Added a little vignette and blur around the perimeter.

[Gus Cobos]

Now this is really nice Mr. Waas...just like this, up close and in your face...:cool:

[Alfred Forns]

A thing of beauty .... any better I couldn't stand it :)

[Lance Peters]

Hi Richard- repost is very nice - little too much vignetting in the corners for my personal taste.

Well done :)

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Your re post is great Richard, my kind of shot.
We also stopped at Mzarek Pond, but it was much later and the light was really harsh. I didn't even take the camera out.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

I like your repost the best Richard, it really isolates your subject.

[Katie Rupp]

Up close and personal it is, nice one, Richard.