Snowy flight

[Kerry Perkins]

The Snowy Egrets are nesting at my local duck pond. What a bonus! There are at least six nests under construction. While the area presents a serious photography challenge due to mass quantities of sticks and busy backgrounds, I can occasionally get one with just the sky.

Selectively sharpened the bird and applied NR to the bg. Used Topaz Remask 2 for the separation. I metered off of the full sun on the exposed dirt ground. Ended up about -1 EV from that.

50D, EF400mm f/5.6L
Manual mode, f/5.6@1/2500 ISO 200 WB 5100K
AI Servo autofocus, hand-held no flash

Thanks for your comments!

[PeterCollins]

well, what a shot!

love the color, the detail in the whites, its as sharp as you can get as well. Beautiful subject

Only thing i could add would be its a shame the wings are down and not up, however as you say sometimes its a case of taking whatever you can get!

[Kerry Perkins]

Thank you Peter, appreciate your comments!

You may like this one from the Salton Sea, with wings up, that I posted a while back - http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=53262

[PeterCollins]

Hi Kerry,

I like the position on the linked pic, but i think this is a better capture, the whites have more detail here and i love the sharp eye on this one

Beautiful images both of them!

Wish all of mine were as crisp!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Kerry - sweet - exposure looks on the money to me ;)
Sharp and nice detail in the whites - some may prefer a different wing position - but doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Techs look good.
Excellent image :)

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Kerry,

Greetings. Great whites & color! I really like the plumage off the back of the head. Good job.

Cheers,

-Michael-

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Kerry,

Great panning technique and techs are spot on.

[Troy Lim]

Excellent exposure, very nice.

[Alfred Forns]

One of the best you have posted Kerry !!! Lots of white detail and lovely bg Do like the wing position, up or down for me !! Just fine !!

btw exposure wise it is easier figuring by pointing thirty degrees up in the sky, really makes no difference and its just as consistent .... if the light changes a little and you move, you won't have the same patch of dirt to meter !!! Normally one over on the sky will give you the proper exposure then you compensate for the whites .. with full sun about one under !!! Big Congrats on this one !!!

[Dave Mills]

Hi Kerry, I feel you nailed this one. Good detail,lighting,interesting wing position and exposure. I also like the diagonal the bird is on. Well handled!!

[denise ippolito]

Kerry, You nailed this one for sure. Great details and exposure. I like that the whites are white.