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Thread: Squacco herons (Ardeola ralloides)

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    Default Squacco herons (Ardeola ralloides)

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    Doñana National Park. This species is really shy but, for unknow reasons to me, during a couple of weeks in april-may the birds change its behavior and they turn very tame. Same thing with the purple herons (Ardea purpurea). Right now most part of the birds are in courtship plumage and their faces turn into a beautiful green color while the bill shows a nice blue. I am not very happy with this image because I croped both birds but I love the fact that the guy in the BG has the raised crest and is in focus. I missed a zoom in this ocassion....

    Your comments, opinions and feelings are highly apreciated :)

    Nikon D2X AFS Nikkor 300VR handheld from car, f5, 1/1250s full frame

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    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
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    You have captured the colours in this perfectly Juan. Stunning light, and great exposure on the heron too. I feel the OOF heron in the FG doesnt add to the image, so I would crop this just below the crest, and add some space to the LHS, creating a horizontal comp. Just a thought Juan.

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    Great one but need to agree with Stu on oof bird

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    Hi Juan,
    Personally I don't mind the OOF bird - it has a dream-like quality which provides a perfect contrast to the exquisite main subject.
    Best,
    Nicki

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Juan:

    A lovely bird, one that I haven't seen before.

    I have to agree with the majority, and would vote to crop out the OOF bird. Since the crest has already been clipped a bit, I might go ahead and crop the rest in a tight horizontal, really play up the colors of bill and lores.

    I am not saying to crop out the crest, just tighten up the rest.

    Thanks for sharing this one, and I appreciate the natural history information too.

    Randy

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    Yes a great bird to see Juan. They are almost crosses between herons and egrets (what's the difference anyway?!). Images like this break the "rules" with the tight crop and OOF bird in front but I think we all need to expand and push against these "barriers" to stimulate thought. You have done it successfully here!

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    I like it, I had to look at it several times before I could break the rules in my own head, but I like it, it is different and that's good! I agree that a horizontal crop leaving just the sharp bird would work but again, it would be a correct portrait, this way, is for me at least, more apealling. Congratulatinos!

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