Flight of the Goliath

[Morkel Erasmus]

The Goliath Heron. I have long wanted a BIF shot of this magnificent heron which is not that common in South Africa.

This eventually happened recently at a local bird sanctuary, I was shooting from a hide. I like how the moorhen floating in the BG adds a sense of scale and depth.

Techs:
Canon 7D with 300mm f2.8 L IS USM + 1.4x TC-II (420mm)
f5.6 @ 1/2000 SS @ ISO-800
Exp +0.3

[Rudi van den Heever]

Suppose I can repeat myself! Stunner Morkel! Love the almost metallic colors of the feathers and sooooo sharp!

[Fred Canter]

Gorgeous heron and photo. As far as the Moorhen giving scale, I'm on the fence and can go either way. Since I'm familiar with Moorhens then I'd say it does give it scale. On the other had if I didn't know the size of a Moorhen I don't think it would give me a sense of scale and would be more of a distraction.
And, I looked first and read last and first impression was, wonder why he left the Moorhen.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Rudi and Fred.

Fred, another reason why I left the moorhen was because it's part of the scene I captured ...I have not cloned anything out of a natural history image of mine for a long time and don't intend to start now . I don't mind doing it for so-called "fine art" monochrome conversions etc...

[noelle zaleski]

Congrats!!

Excellent image Morkel... it is a stunner

[Grady Weed]

The Moorhen does not bother me. I do wish there was more of a separation between the Heron and the brown vegetation in the rear of the frame. However it really nice as is. Good sharp color and nice take off action. I am fan of good under wing details and you did just that. I think all in all it is very nice.

[Doug Brown]

Sweet light, excellent sharpness, and a nice take-off pose. I would have preferred that the Moorhen was not directly beneath your subject's bill. I would also add a bit of canvas on the left.

[dankearl]

Morkel, great shot, while I do agree with your ethics, I probably would have erased the hen.
That is me, however, I think it is a really nice shot, nonetheless, Well done.

[Chad Caswell]

Wonderful capture, love the near toe drag on the water, nice timing.

[Dudley Watson]

Excellent image Morkel..love the colours and detail plus trailing feet

[arash_hazeghi]

great take off pose and nice light, I like the moorhen too

[BenBotha]

Hen or no hen, still an exellent shot. THe underwing detail is impressive. The 300 really sings. Is the 7d going to be a 1dm4 in the near future?

[Dumay de Boulle]

Lovely light and wing position...Like the pose and IQ looks good.

[Marc Mol]

Beautiful light, overall colour, detail & sharpness Morkel.
Did you manage the full reflection by any chance?
TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks for the comments folks, really appreciate it.

This is full frame at the bottom, nearly full frame all around, so no more reflection to add

[Chris Kotze]

Super detail and colours that's well exposed and excellent IQ

[Jason Stander]

Fine shot Morkel... the hen doesn't bother... great exposure and light... awesome under wing detail... pin sharp... VVWD!

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Colours and light are stunning, excellent take-off.

[Morkel Erasmus]

Thanks Jason, Chris and Vivaldo...