American Bittern on flight

[Patrice Allibert]

This afternoon north of Québec, weather with storm and rain, light also difficult to manage

Any comment is welcome

Patrice

Nikon D300, Nikon 200-400mm + TC1.4, ISO 640, 1/1000, 550 mm

[Arthur Morris]

NIce image. Love the rain. Could use some more sharpening. With the rain, I almost do not mind that the bird is on the "wronmg" side of the frame--it's as if it wants to get away from the bad weather.

BTW, it is a young Black-crowned Night-Heron not an American Bittern. (The latter has two toned wings.)

[Patrice Allibert]

Arthur

thank you for your feed back. I confirm it is an american Bittern. You can visit my site on pbase (http://www.pbase.com/pallibert/butor) and see more pictures done today and before, They are common around Québec in summer and we also have Black-crowned Night-Heron.

As you will see, one day I was really lucky!

Patrice

[Brian Barcelos]

I agree with Arties critique about sharpening, love the BG and wing angle relevant to the head.

Brian

[Arthur Morris]

Arthur, thank you for your feed back. I confirm it is an american Bittern. You can visit my site on pbase (http://www.pbase.com/pallibert/butor) and see more pictures done today and before, They are common around Québec in summer and we also have Black-crowned Night-Heron. As you will see, one day I was really lucky! Patrice

Hi Patrice, The bird is not an American Bittern. The trailing edge of the underwings on American Bittern is dark. If you check out any field guide, you will realize your error.

[Arthur Morris]

ps: The last five flight images on the linked page are all immature Black-crowned Night-Herons. Sorry to burst your bubble....

[Aidan Briggs]

I love the rain, the BG, and the pose. As Artie mentioned, more sharpening would help. I would also like to see more space on the top and bottom.

[Patrice Allibert]

Arthur

sorry you are 100% right. I am still learning... everyday. It is even more difficult when it is immature birds.

Patrice

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Patrice. Those are my very favorite words!

[Patrice Allibert]

Arthur, thanks a lot for your help.

Patrice

[Arthur Morris]

You are most welcome, and here is a belated welcome to BPN.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely image , killer BG , rains adding so much , As Arthur said , I dont mind bird on wrong side
If mine , I may put signature in LLH corner
TFS

[Ilija Dukovski]

Great image, I'd add more space on top if possible. Love the colors and the rain, pose too.
BTW I too live in area where Am Bittern is frequent nesting bird.
In the last 13 years I've seen TWO. I've heard them "pumping" in several occasions, though.
Not too many images of the bird around either.

[David Fletcher]

Patrice, thanks for posting this. Wonderful, and in light of comments did some work as feel the image is there, waiting to spring to life. This isn't by any means what i would say is perfect as I haven't given it enough consideration: (note top left wing feather clipped by me), but if it gives you a nudge in the right direction, I will be very happy. Added canvas, did a selection on the bg and added nr, just to smooth, then inverted, and did a round of luminosity sharpening: (This time I am experimenting and didn't do my three rounds of 50%, 0.2 & 1, but went straight to 37%, 10 & 4.. May look odd figures but the bird needs a lift to help pop).. then sharpening again via new layer with Smart sharpen and reduced opacity till feel the effect I wanted is nearly there. This is pure speculation, but hope it enhances.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks for the excellent work and repost David. You gave the bird life. I'd have taken just a bit off the bottom.

[David Fletcher]

Thanks for the excellent work and repost David. You gave the bird life. I'd have taken just a bit off the bottom.

:) Cheers.

[sodicoff]

Bittern in flight at Merritt Island, Dec 2009