Juvenile black crowned night heron

[Grace Scalzo]

One from last fall.

1/500, f5.6, ISO400
Canon mk3, 500 + 1.4tc + tripod

[Jim Fenton]

Really like this one Grace.

I like the alert pose. Lighting is beautiful and exposure looks right on. Sharpness is just right on the subject.

Two things I might have tried if it were mine, would be to crop some more from the bottom so I had less OOF foreground as the lead in and I would have perhaps blurred the background some as the patterns in the plant material kind of compete with the subjects breast plumage?

[Marina Scarr]

I really like this one, Grace, especially the FG. The entire environment really works well with this species...the juvenile that is. If it had been an adult, it may not have worked as well.

[Dave Leroy]

They certainly look a lot different from mature birds.
This is ice and sharp and well exposed.
Although it would take away most of the habitat a vertical crop may be an option.
Dave

[Aidan Briggs]

I agree with Marina 100% A different image that conveys habitat very well. I love the darker FG, and the golden light.

[Deborah Hanson]

For me - there are a lot of nice details that I like in the image cropped the way it is - the small flowers, the out-of-focus grasses, and the water. The lighting is warm and the bird is sharp and 'pops' against the background - I guess I don't really even notice the background details/just that it's background (which means that it's not too busy for me).
The eye detail is great.
I like the image a lot.
The juvie really looks different than the adult bird.

Deb

[david cramer]

A lovely image and I second Jim's suggestions.

[Randy Stout]

Grace:

Your bird is sharp and well exposed, great eye.

If it were mine, I would consider cropping up just above your sig line from below, and subtly vignette the LUC since it is bright enough to compete for our attention.

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like this image as posted and find the comp well balanced. I'd be careful about cropping below as the water in LLC is already well placed there with the right amount of separation from the edge. If you do decide to crop a bit at bottom I'd go no further than Randy's suggestion. I love the fact the FG is shaded - with the rest beautifully illuminated. Well done Grace!

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks so much for your thoughts! I've got some more of this youngster that I've composed a little differently, but I like this one the best. Agree with a slight crop off the bottom, just a bit as I don't want to take away from the water, and the idea for a slight vignette is a great idea. Again, Thanks!