Breeding plumage Great Egret at St. Augustine Alligator Farm, April 2010. I think many photographers visiting SAAF in the spring have a similar image, but I liked this one with the shaft of light on the bird and the dark BG. I suspect this bird may be on the SAAF payroll.
Techs: EOS 7D, 229 mm, ISO 400, f/7.1, 1/640 sec.
Post: square crop, reduced whites slightly using Aperture recovery slider.
Beautiful! The bright spots in the BG distract me a bit, but I love the spotlight effect on the egret. Good courtship pose too, and you've brought out the elegant breeding plumage/colours very nicely.
The lay-ed back neck or slight s curve, the excellent display of breeding plumage and the green around the eye makes this one for me. I would however have like to see the virtual feet just a bit more, or more room, canvas at the bottom. However maybe thats just me. A very nice image here. Thanks for sharing.
Arent they gorgeous? I have yet to visit this place but will someday. I love the pose and dark bg but agree that some of the whites are a bit bright. I really like the light on the eye.
Hey Chad,
Light is fantastic but agree with Grady on a hair more room.....even for me! You got a great fan out of the plumage......so just that small bit bottom will put it over the top!