Blue Heron

[Peter Farrell]

Near jamestown, VA. Sony A700, 70-400G @400mm, f5.6, 1/1000, iso400. Cropped to portrait, levels, curves and sharpen bird. Im no expert but I would say this is a young heron, maybe 2nd year? Blue herons are common here but I do not recall seeing one with the blue patch by the eye.

[arash_hazeghi]

nice tall portrait, head looks soft and wish the feet were visible.

[Peter Farrell]

Thank you for your comments, Arash. I brightened the head and neck and added a small amount of sharpening.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Peter, the blue lores and long lower neck plumes indicate an adult in breeding plumage.

Nice pose, looks sharp enough to me as posted (repost is oversharpened). About the feet...hard to see them when the subject is standing in water!. I wouldn't worry about that. The saturation is perhaps a bit strong...