I was out just before dark when I noticed this Black Crowned Night Heron flying towards me with something in its mouth, so I swung around quickly and snaped off a shot. I didn't see the fish at first and it went behind a tree just after this shot. I know it's back lit but it still turned out better than I thought it would. Cropped slightly from bottom.
Lens - Canon 400 5.6L
Model - Canon EOS 50D
ExposureProgram - Aperture priority
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
ShutterSpeedValue - 1/1250 seconds
ApertureValue - F 5.60
ExposureBiasValue - -0.67
MeteringMode - Partial
Flash - Flash not fired
FocalLength - 400 mm
Pays to be ready, and good that you captured this fellow.
Yes, back lighting an issue, but I think there is some room to bring up the darker areas on the bird without blowing out all the highlights. Unfortunately, that will also bring up the noise.
If you had had the time, some plus EC would have really helped in camera.
The clipped wing tip is unfortunate.
Even when these quick shots don't always turn out as well as you might like, as Wayne Gretzky use to say: