Snowy Egret

Gallery: AvianPosted December 13, 2009175 views16 comments

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: December 3, 2009
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 plus TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/1000th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS SC3 on Mac G4, 35% of frame

Since John Cleese was in town this past week it seems that it is time for something completely different from my usual style.

Taken two days after my previous post (a different Snowy Egret), I found this bird roosting in a tree overhanging one of the ponds. I couldn't find a viewpoint that would allow a clean full body shot, but I thought the feet and legs were interesting enough for a tight view.

Yes, I could clone out the wispy branches and leaves but they don’t really bother me as is.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the larger version before commenting.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 13, 2009 at 6:19 PM

Rich,

Thanks for showing us this unusual view. When I see these birds, their legs are almost always hidden beneath the water - I love the gradient of color from black to gold and the detail in the feathers.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on December 13, 2009 at 6:24 PM

MAGNIFICENT, Richard!!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on December 13, 2009 at 6:31 PM

Good thing it wasn't Marty Feldman...

Seriously, really nice detail and a pleasing, if neutral, background.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2009 at 7:14 PM

I saw this image on your blog yesterday Rich, though I never quite expected it to show up here. I love seeing it as it focuses our attention on a part of the whole that is very interesting and points out detail that many of us miss. I esp like the color of the feet compared to the leg patterns, the one toe lapping over the other and the stubby twig between the toes.

Good for you for posting this!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on December 13, 2009 at 7:50 PM

I think this is interesting Richard. Although I think I might have actually cropped on down to just the legs and no feathers. I do like it. (smile)

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on December 13, 2009 at 7:55 PM

I enjoy your creativity in showing us detail that I would normally overlook with a full image of the Egret. The branches don't bother at all. Very cool, I enjoy pictures that are a little out of the ordinary.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 13, 2009 at 8:13 PM

Cool Rich. Great detail and color. Make you appreciate more than just the nice white plumage of this species.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 13, 2009 at 9:35 PM

Well, since I am a fan of Cleese and MP, I'm buying into this one, Richard. Beautiful color and detail on the parts we don't often pay much attention to.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 13, 2009 at 10:30 PM

Very sexy Richard, some stockings would have been a nice touch

Great detail - the detail in the scales on birds' legs are often overlooked.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Cliff Forrest on December 13, 2009 at 11:10 PM

Richard,
Super photo. That bird should play piano. This is a great shot of an interesting part of the egret. Thanks for taking it.

Cliff

Registered on March 3, 2009, 51 Posts, 78 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 14, 2009 at 7:25 AM

Rich,

When I saw this posted on your blog I hoped you would post it here and I am glad you did.

I like the graphic lines of this image created by the slightly curved perch, the detail in the legs & feet are just wonderful and I especially love how the one toe crosses over the one from the other foot.

This gives us a really intimate view of the "golden slippers".

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 14, 2009 at 10:42 AM

I never realised their legs are mottled like that. Love those big toes. Excellent motivation for us all to try something different.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 14, 2009 at 6:12 PM

A refreshingly different image Rich. The yellow on the feet is pretty spectacular, not to mention the detail.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 14, 2009 at 6:33 PM

I like the pose and nice toe contact.

An advertisement for your lenses and technique to get a 35% crop with this sharpness and detail.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 14, 2009 at 8:30 PM

At first I was like uh oh somebody goofed a crop Hee Then I went Ohhh! I see... and I love it. They have theeee most amazing feet so why not? I dont mind the branches as the feet took all my attention

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 14, 2009 at 9:59 PM

neat shot, Rich. I love the detail, and how the crop draws us in to a part of the bird that we otherwise might not examine so closely. It's very interesting to see that even the claws are yellow--lots of birds have colored feet but dark claws.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments