New spot for me...

[Matt Lerer]

This is a shot from a new place I recently went to so I could photograph snail kites. Go plenty of the kite shots but none to my liking so this is the next best thing for me...



1D MKII
1/4000
f4.0
400mmDO
ISO 200

PP - I took out some twigs and other vegetation on the water and where the branch under left foot showed above the back of the heron.

[Randy Stout]

Matt:

A beautiful bird in peak breeding color. The sharpness is excellent, with maybe just a hint of halo around the top of the head. The string of water drops is fun. Great legs too. Your gardening was well done.

I would say you did well, despite not getting the snail kite images you wanted.

Cheers

Randy

[denise ippolito]

Matt, The pose and water droplets are great-nice composition!

[Karl Egressy]

Matt,
I like the hunting(fishing) pose and the droplets of water, indicating a motion captured. Great colours too.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the setting, pose and droplets. I would run curves and/or S/H.

[Matt Lerer]

Hey Randy...thanks for the halo heads up!!! There was actually quite a bit when blown up to 400% so I fixed it...I think.

I used S&H a little on the fix also but I really don't know what it should be affecting on this image...and I am completely clueless on the curves. Axel...maybe you could fuss with it a bit and give me an idea what to do?

Here's my fix...

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Ahh... sweet light...
Really nice bird and pose. I guess that curves, as mentioned by Axel would improve this one. Great find.

[Stu Bowie]

Super comp, and this is nice and sharp. I like the trailing droplets from the beak. Great capture Matt.