Tricolored Heron "canopy" hunting in high-key.

[Daniel Cadieux]

What a show this guy put on for us in February at Estero Lagoon. I got many good poses, but I really wanted one where one of the wings served as a backdrop to the head such as here. Cool and rainy morning that was (I didn't expect to be shivering in Florida!), but very productive.

Canon 40D + 100-400L @300mm, aperture priority, evaluative metering, 1/500s., f/6.3, ISO 800, +2 EC, natural light, handheld.

[Ofer Levy]

I am not crazy about high key BG as I feel it is as un-natural as a completely black BG. However, this image works for me as pose is nice and I like the composition.
Here is a repost with a bit of S/H as the bird in the original is a bit too bright IMHO.

[Chris Martinez]

Nice behavioural photograph. So these guys use similar tactics to our Little Egrets. Do they dance about as well or is it a slower stalk?

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

I remember this guy well. He really danced for us.

Excellent pose, eyes are quite distinct for a head on, sharp.

I am on my work monitor, which displays a bit bright, but I do think that the bird looks a bit better in Ofer's repost, with just a little darker.

The soft light really helped with the under wing illumination.

Chris: - these guys do quite a dance, very similar to reddish egrets, quite entertaining.

Cheers

Randy

[Dave Leroy]

I like the unique pose of the heron with the offset head still angled same way as body.

The high key works for me and I do prefer the slightly toned down version by Ofer.

The reflections in water add a lot and seem to "secure" the photo.

Very well done.

Dave

[Stu Bowie]

Super comp Dan, and you have timed your capture very well here. Excellent sideways pose, and I like the wingspread. The high key works for me, and I like the added reflection in the FG. Ofer's repost does work a little better.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Daniel, what a cool pose. Loved the reflection. Good to see both the eyes. Excellent composition as always.

[Martin Wallis]

Great shot, love the pose, both eyes visible and all the detail due to the exp. I also do prefer Ofer's re-post.