Theme; Horizontal Patterns with Snowy Egret

[WIlliam Maroldo]

SonyA700~Sony70-400G@400mm~ISO400~F7.1~1/3200 sec~aperture priority~11-17-2009~flood control reservoir, Houston, Texas~CS4/Topaz Adjust3(small detail preset)/Topaz Clean2
Snowy Egret feeding.
Selected bird, applied Topaz Adj 3 and Clean2, background Clean2 only
comments and critique welcomed. regards~Bill

images posted at BPN

[Mark Fuge]

Nice image and application, Bill.

I personally like the image, but wonder if you have the rest of the bird reflection in the original. I would like to see a little blue below the bird reflection. Also, I know this is unblanced, as to heading into a wider forground area. I did one similar a while back for a reason. Did you have any intent in putting the bird flying out, rather than flying into the scene.

Neither are big issues to me, but just wondering what you have to work with and what your vision was on the placement of the bird.

[denise ippolito]

Bill, I love the graceful flow to this. The colors of the water are dreamy. The Snowy has a nice head angle and lovely details in the wings. I am okay with the bird leaving the scene, for me this tells a story! I like the pano crop. One of my favorites of yours.

[Julie Kenward]

I agree with Denise. I don't usually like a bird exiting the scene but this one does tell a story with that trail behind it. The colors and details are smashing - I'll bet this would make for an incredible print.

[Christopher Miller]

Very nice image, Bill! I like the strong horizontal feel and the placement of the bird is perfect. Great pose too on the bird.