Little Egret - Breeding

[Stu Bowie]

This was taken in a nature reserve close to my house a little while back. This guy was preening at a small dam next to the road, and I went for a portrait to show off the mauve breeding colours they have. I decided to leave the bit of feather at the tip of his bill. Taken late afternoon.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 400mm
1/800
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp Comp -0.33
Hand held from the car.

[Graeme Cox]

Nice sharp image. Good eye contact

[MohsenVahedipour]

What a nice portrait! Like the sweet soft light & BG & excellent sharpness.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Great shot, I like the composition, the exposure and detail are excellent. I don't mind the feather at the tip of the bill either.
We get little egrets here, and we have one great white egret I will try to get a similar shot if I can it will be interesting to compare the colours around the base of the bill, I have to confess I had never noticed the colouration before..

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Stuart, Great detail in the white plumage; and the contrasting blue lore is a knock out! Amazing that you were able to get that close up with the 400mm. Thanks for sharing, Gerald

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the feedback guys.

[Dumay de Boulle]

Very nice fine detail in this image bud. Love the clean BG...Man you got close!

[Vivaldo Damilano]

You must have been really close to this bird, lovely head shot Stu, also like the feathers on the beak TFS

[jack williamson]

Excellent IQ and exp. The feather adds to this and I think he is looking at it.

Jack

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details, a great shot.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Beautiful portrait. Details and BG are excellent!

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Perfect portrait, IMO...excellent comp, BG, head position, details, exposure....wouldn't touch a thing. Very well done. You get great shots from your car, Stuart.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks for all the comments everyone.