This fat and sassy Common Egret was sitting on a fishing boats rail. He was eyeing a bucket of bait fish. You can see the remnants of his rewarded efforts on the tip of his bill. He flew back and forth to several boats as people boarded them for a days fishing. He knows an easy meal when he sees one. The only problem with this one was he kept going in shadow. The sun would come and go, leaving a streak of shadow over the eye or body somewhere. This was taken of the fishing dock near the Ponce Deleon Lighthouse in Daytona Florida. It sure was nice 1 1/2 days walking in the warm Florida sun and the cool ocean breeze. Nothing like the ocean, the sea gulls and roar of the waves. Or the mangroves filled with Roseate Spoonbills.
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, Shooting Date/Time: 4/22/2009 06:24:08, Shutter Speed 1/400Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F8.0, Center weighted average metering, Exposure Compensation: +1, ISO 400, Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM, RAW, AI Servo AF. Hand held, in between tourists bouncing on the floating dock!
The sharpness is excellent as are the details in the whites. I like the BG with its wispy whites. I might add a little canvas in front of the bird. The vertical band of shadow on the bird is a little distracting.
I think Doug hit all the important points. The detail in the whites is very nice. It almost looks like he is wearing suspenders because of the shadow line. I agree about a wee bit more canvas in front as well.
Grady, This is a beautiful portrait. Excellent detail and BG. I didn't notice the shadows at first because the attention is directed at the head and bill.
Yikes, not used to seeing such a graceful, elegant species with such gruesome remnants on it!! Light and exposure look great - good techs. If you crop away about 3/5 of the space above the comp may work without adding to the left. I could do without the shadow running down the bird.
Pin sharp, with excellent exposure. Im glad you mentioned what was on the beak. Could have been the remains of a human being, bugging him for a few good shots. LOL. I like the curve formed by the neck. I would also add to the LHS.