GBH coming in with sticks for the mate

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Shot here in Dallas.

40D. 400f5.6 at f/6.3. iso 400. 1/640. cropped some from all sides. Cloudy day. had to give it a high-key treatment. No sharpening or NR done.

I have tried different crops but felt square works the best. This nest is quite far and high( of course better than close and high :-) With 400mm lens, if the heron is standing, it appears too small in the frame. But its amazing how 400mm seems longer when birds open their wings.

I know there is lot of scope for cloning here...but since its all a part of the habitat, I have left everything as is. All opinions welcome.

[Scott Frye]

Nice behavior shot -- birds seems soft on my monitor-- I would clone out the sticks in the as they add llittle to the picture.

[Dave Hassell]

As this is an image of a bird in it's natural habitat and showing an interesting part of the breeding cycle I would leave the twigs where they are. I accept they are a little distracting but they are showing what a GBH nest is.
I think it would be better with some sharpening.

Dave.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Thx. Here is with some selective sharpening on the birds.

[Dave Hassell]

I like the repost and it looks like you have lightened the underwing.

Dave.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Dave, thx. I did not lighten the underwings. But sharpness is really contrast at pixel level. Increasing sharpness must have lightened them a bit.