These guys are not too common up here in Ottawa, with just a couple of individuals reported every year - and to make matters worse they are usually VERY skittish. While I had fun photographing these guys begging for food at arms lenght in Florida earlier this year, this one took 10 minutes of stealthy approach from behind some tall reeds to give myself a reasonable chance. From the erect pose you can tell he is onto my presence, and he took off as soon as the shutter went off! One darn photo! Knowing this would likely be the case, I had already given some negative EC to my settings and already had the camera in portrait orientation...gotta be prepared!:) Full frame, save for a slight crop after levelling the horizon.
In this case, one shot was enough! The vigilant pose and watchful dyd are a plus, and the reflection makes for a graceful and elegant composition. Nicely done.
Love your comp and the reflection is killer for sure. I know what you mean about skittish because I've never been able to get even within 60-70 yards without them taking off on me and when one goes they all go.
Very nice feel to this one, the light bird and darker background works very well. Excellent exposure.
Nice shooting angle for the reflection.
Its funny, your comment about Florida vs. the Northern shooting ease. We have GBHs on the lakes nearby, and based on my Florida exp.,I expect to just walk up to them and have them pose. I sometimes think it isn't worth the trouble to shoot them in the north, but then realize that its all part of the game, and have fun trying. Not great pictures sometimes, but great fun nevertheless.
Nice capture of a "vagrant" individual Daniel! I can appreciate this, as I chase these vagrants around here in CA! I got lucky with a Red-necked Stint here locally! Here's a link to my heavy, heavy cropped images of the mega rarity in our area this year!
Very nice Daniel, the bg is brilliant. I would wish not to have the ripples in the fg water, but that might not have been possible.
Per the comments about your Florida experience, relatively speaking, the great white egrets and blue herons are the toughest for me to photograph within an acceptable range. I've had better luck with roseate spoonbills and white pelicans. The exception are the boardwalks (Anhinga and Shark Valley), of course. From a canoe or in areas other than the people-populated areas, these birds are the most skittish and difficult to capture. They often fly off before I even know they are within range. And with a very loud squack to boot! So congratulations for capturing this one, it wasn't easy I am sure.
I like the pose, the reflection and the dark background. Great exposure especially given the chance for just one shot. We also had a great egret here in Newfoundland on Saturday. As you can imagine they are also rare here. Unfortunately it was in a grassy field surrounded by gulls so only able to get record shots.
A "rare" Great Egret.
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