Tricolored Heron with Minnow

[Mike Landwehr]

This tricolored heron was just raising his head after grabbing a minnow. With the nictitating membrane still covering the eye, the beak wide open, and the outstretched plume feathers, I think it presents a bit of a wild look! At Tigertail Beach on Marco Island in March a couple of years ago. C & C welcomed.

Canon Mark II N
500 mm
ISO 400
1/6400 at f/4
Tripod

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool moment captured, I like the eye contact, BG and open bill. I would tone down the minnow, run NR on the BG and wish the eye were not partially covered by the nictitating membrane. Do you have an image made earlier in this series?

[Peter Wallack]

What a strong use of the frame. I like it. I also learned a bit about the eye membrane. IMHO this image's caption is essential to its impact.

[Connie Mier]

I like it, shows the bird in perfect form. A split second sooner and the fish would have been in mid air!

[Daniel Belasco]

Nice color.
The beak almost looks like it has a curve in it.--top

[David Fletcher]

Excellent timing Mike. Like as you presented, with the head of the minnow just visible. Membrane doesn't bother me too much as shows something different but would run some nr on the bg. TFS

[Paolo Piazza]

the tip of the bill looks out of focus; an f8 would been beneficial to the DOF;however this is a small thing and the picture looks very nice.

[Mike Landwehr]

Here's an alternative. No nicitating membrane, though it loses some eye contact. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Peter Wallack]

I have comment above. I do like this image better. The bird is compelling looking at the viewer but they also look for food so this is perhaps more natural. I would think ornothologists would like the first image.