Snowy Egret Preening

[Daniel Belasco]

I don't know if there is a special name for this kind of preening, but it's one of my favorite poses to photography. I have caught Tricolored Herons doing this pose about 15 times or so, but much less, maybe 3 or 4 times, with the Snowy Egret. The other times with the Snowy Egrret were in a little stronger light and with the whites to contend with, they made a high contrast image that's not my favorite.

On this image taken a few days ago, December 28, 22009, the Sun had already set below the hills behind me and the only light left was reflected off the Palm Trees behind and around the pond. I had been photographing a Tricolored Heron and the light was all but gone and I was putting away my gear when the Snowy Egret arrived. I decided to stay a few more minutes and the Egret moved into a little area of light. This is the result.

canon 1dMKIIN 500mm f4 IS @ f4 1/2500 sec iso 800

[WIlliam Maroldo]

I'm glad you waited! Extraordinary image. Exposure and whites top notch. The composition of the background, reflections and subject is excellent as well. Good work! regards~Bill

[Sid Garige]

Daniel,

Excellent composition and timing. Very well balanced with shadow. Details and exposure is great. All in all an excellent image.

[Hilary Hann]

This is a lovely graceful image, wonderful composition with the reflection.

[Juan Aragonés]

Daniel this one is your best IMO. I absolutely love the composition, very artistic, and a very good technical job. Perhaps a bit more room at the left would improve the composition but it works really well in the way you posted. I think that you want to preserve the balance between the dark green environment and the white egret but I couldn´t resist to adjust the sahdows a bit, to warm the color temperature (it looks a bit cold in my monitor) and to add a touch of USM.
Once again, a fantastic image! :)

[Daniel Cadieux]

I agree that this is probably your best to date. It just needs a tiny bit more TLC to make it really shine, and Juan's repost puts in the right direction. The only other thing I would adjust is to tone down (not eliminate)the heavier yellow vertical streak cutting across the wing-tip. Very well done Daniel, glad you stuck around for this one!!

[Daniel Belasco]

Thanks Juan for taking the time to help me improve my images. I shot this vertically so there is no room on the left. I think I may post one vertically taken at the same time but with the head facing forward. Your repost does bring out the yellow streak across the wing more that Daniel doesn't like though.