Sunset Heron

[Stu Bowie]

This is a grey heron flying across a small lake in the Kruger National Park. It is called Lake Panic, and bird life thrives around this area. The water is also heavily infested with Hippo and crocodiles. This was taken from a hide over looking this lake. The hide is built over a portion of the water, and through the wooden floor, one can clearly see the hippo's just below the floor.

This heron banked nicely for me to get off a couple of shots, against the suns reflection on the water.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 275mm
1/800
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held from the hide.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

Nice banking pose, well exposed. Wish the head was turned our way a bit more.
Might consider toning down the luminosity of the lakeshore in the background, less competition for bird.

Not sure I would want to be sitting above hippos :)

Randy

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

beautiful wing position,light,details!!!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The wing position, light and sharpness look very good. I only wish the bird were flying toward you.

[denise ippolito]

Stuart, The wings are beautifully illuminated w/ nice details. Wish it was flying toward you also. I love the reflection colors in the water. The hide sounds cool! Nicely done.

[Harshad Barve]

lovely wing pose , expo and compo
TFS

[Joe Senzatimore]

I too would be wary of sitting above the Hippos. This seems just a bit bright but has great detail.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I also wish for a better HA, and find the lights a bit too, well, light :-) Excellent wing positions and details within them. I also like the inclusion of habitat.

The hide is built over a portion of the water, and through the wooden floor, one can clearly see the hippo's just below the floor.

Now that is just awesome!! I would love to experience that...

[Raymond Barlow]

Nice image Stuart! the light is really something., right place, and right time, well done.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I think it has fantastic light in the wings but the whites in the head seem blown unfortunately. Don't mind the flying away so much as it is very dynamic. But wish the far shore would be leveled. Love the story about sitting above the hippos. JR

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the great feedback and comments. Much appreciated.