Cattle Egrets

[Chris van Rooyen]

I captured this image of an interaction between a young egret and (presumably) a parent bird near my home in Johannesburg. I just love the flawless AF and silky images of the D3!

Camera Model: NIKON D3
Date/Time: 2009:04:14 17:18:22
Shutter speed: 1/2500 sec
Aperture: 4
Exposure mode: Tv
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Center-weighted average
ISO: 1600
Lens: 500mm f/4
Focal length: 500mm
Focal length: 500mm (in 35mm film)
AF mode: AF-C

[David Roach]

Cool interaction and great handling of the side(?)light. Really love the expression of the bird on the right! BG wonderful as well; so, what's new!! Any NR needed?

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Man, this is BEYOND cool! I absolutely love the expression on the RHS egret's face. What a great capture Chris. This is bound to be along the lines of a winning behavioral photograph. Very well captured. BG is perfect and the sharpness is over the top (in a good way). Congrats!

[Fabs Forns]

Yes, that is one aggressive chick! Just like Tri-colored Herons, who drive their parents crazy.

Well done, Chris!

[Tony Whitehead]

Amazing interaction and eye contact, Chris. I might try a version with localised colour adjustments to reduce the blue light on the shaded side a little. Glad you're enjoying the D3 - I must admit I find myself using the D700 in preference to the D300 more and more.

[Maxis Gamez]

This is terrific. Excellent behavior!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks for comments and suggestions guys! I have finally been seduced by the dark side - as from today I am officially a Nikon user:D

[Chris van Rooyen]

David I did a small amount of noise reduction on the background

[Desmond Chan]

Wow! What can I say but simply fantastic !!

Ok, if I am allowed to be a bit nitpicking (who am I to do that I know), it would be the left wing of the bird on the left. It looks like it has its left wing grown out of its head :D

[Lance Peters]

Hey Chris - welcome to the dark side - think you will love the D3 - it is truly amazing IMHO.

Love the interaction and that expression -Great work :)

[DanWalters]

Great action! Really like the lighting. Adds a lot of depth.

[Simon Bennett]

Fabulous action, and excellent job with exposure.

[Kobus Tollig]

THis has alot of impact. Open beak wings and feet. Super well done.

[Mark Dumbleton]

Aweome interaction captured here Chris! The side lighting I feel here adds impact to the image and works very well! Love the young egret's expression!