This is the first green heron I've photographed, and probably the 4th or 5th I've seen in this area. I get so caught up in distractions in an image- and there are plenty in this one- that it's hard to enjoy "habitat" shots sometimes. But I'm trying to like this one.
7D, 500mm, kayak, ISO 400, 1/2000sec. Crop, NR, +1 on contrast and finally, some sharpening. I could do endless amounts of cloning beginning with the bright blade of grass below his beak. But I think I'll leave it.
Colin,now this is the advantage of shooting from a boat - birds eye view ( pun not intended ) The surrounding foliage/BG works here, as it doesnt hinder the heron. Good to see the reflection too.
Lovely shooting angle. Nice eye, head angle, and furtive pose.
Some OOF material blurring the left side of the bird.
The tight crop on top helps limit the distracting background, and for me works well with the crouching pose.
You might consider just toning down the bright tan reed in front of the bird. If it were mine, I might also do a modest vignetter of the corners, esp. the upper, to help focus our attention on the bird.
What type of lens support did you use in the kayak? I am experimenting with different options for low level shooting and am always curious about how others do it.