Goliath heron

[Ajit Huilgol]

The goliath heron is the world's second tallest flying bird (150 cm), next only to the sarus crane (152 cm). It can be occasionally be found along streams and rivers in Africa, and even more rarely, in India. It resembles the much smaller purple heron, but has an unstriped head, and blackish (vs yellow) beak and legs.
Species: Goliath heron (Ardea goliath)
Location: St Lucia, South Africa
Date: July 2009
Equip: Canon 1D Mlll, Canon 500 f4 with 1.4 TC
Specs: ISO 400, f 6.3, 1/2000s, hand-held from a ferry

Thank you for taking the time out to look, and for your comments/ critiques.

[Lance Peters]

Hi - not seeing a image with your post.
:)

[Ajit Huilgol]

Oops! I pressed the wrong key by mistake! How do I go about posting the image now?:D

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The goliath heron is the world's second tallest flying bird (150 cm), next only to the sarus crane (152 cm). It can be occasionally be found along streams and rivers in Africa, and even more rarely, in India. It resembles the much smaller purple heron, but has an unstriped head, and blackish (vs yellow) beak and legs.
Species: Goliath heron (Ardea goliath)
Location: St Lucia, South Africa
Date: July 2009
Equip: Canon 1D Mlll, Canon 500 f4 with 1.4 TC
Specs: ISO 400, f 6.3, 1/2000s, hand-held from a ferry

Thank you for taking the time out to look, and for your comments/ critiques.

Edit your first post, then go to 'advanced' and then to 'manage attachments' where you can upload the image.

[Ajit Huilgol]

Thanks a ton, Axel, for saving me some embarrassment!

[Hendri Venter]

I like the inclusion of the birds natural environment and the typical one footed pose. The bird is well exposed and the feather detail very good.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Ajit,

I also like the inclusion of the habitat. I think the head angle and details are good. The birds head and bill seems a bit bright to me. If it was mine I might see how toning down these area would affect the presentation. I am curious, did you get any images with you more to our left? Just asking because I was wondering how his would look with the bird a bit more centered to the clump of grass.

Thanks for sharing.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Love the comp. as is and the inclusion of the habitat in such great light. Wonderful detail as well. Do agree that the head seems a tad bright.

[denise ippolito]

I love the inclusion of habitat and the BG colors are fantastic! Agree w/ toning down the bill. I like your composition as presented but I'd leave a bit more room for the feet.

[David Fletcher]

The bill has been mentioned and can only add agreeing with lovely details and inclusion of habitat.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the colors of the bird, head angle and sharpness look good, too. The bright head has been mentioned. I like the included habitat but wish the grass in the foreground would not partially block the bird.

[Josh Gahagan]

What a cool bird. Nice light and composition, too.

[Stu Bowie]

Yep, these are lovely birds. I like the comp, pose, and details, and overall, this is nice and sharp. Well captured.