Close As I Have Ever Gotten to an Egret

[Ed Vatza]

This morning at Green Pond, Bethlehem, PA.

Canon 50D; Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS w/ 2x TC

1/4000 sec @ f/5.6; ISO 400; 0 EV; FL 600mm (EFL 960mm)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the light, BG and eye contact. You could give it a tad more room at the right and sharpen the bird more. I would also remove the sheen on the bill.

I've never been at this pond, it looks as if it's worth checking out.

[Ed Vatza]

I've never been at this pond, it looks as if it's worth checking out.

The Egrets (there were 4) were in Green Pond itself which is somewhat unusual. Across from the pond is a farmer's field with areas that flood quite often and hold water. Those flooded areas are great for migrating shorebirds. The biggest problem is that it is private property. You are close as you walk along the side of the road but you aren't supposed to walk into the farm property. Otherwise you could get even closer. Lots of birders visit that area. There were Sandpipers, Willets, and Yellowlegs there this morning as well as a couple of Green Herons.

[Ed Vatza]

Here is another version. I added back what I had cropped on the right. I sharpened a bit more. And I tried to clean up the sheen on the bill.

[Tony Whitehead]

Repost a definite improvement, Ed.

[Dominic Cantin]

A very nice image Ed ! I have to admit that I don't see an improvement in sharpness between your 2 images :confused: In photoshop under smart sharpen , go for 60% - 0,6px - lens blur. That how I like it :cool: And you can add another round with the same setting if you want , your image is able to take it ;)

Dom :)

[Harshad Barve]

Repost is better
Nice shot , lovely BG
TFS