Egret: Bobbing for Bugs

Gallery: AvianPosted February 16, 201054 views6 comments

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula): This bird moved very quickly to snap up whatever was on the bottom of this muddy creek in Jibacoa, Cuba. It was sheer luck that allowed me to capture this fast action. This particular bird seems a bit beat up compared to the beautiful ones I see images of here. Note the black marks on the head and stains on the body that don’t seem to be all shadows. I’m not sure what was on the menu. However, there were small fish in the creek and likely a variety of invertebrates. If you look closely you can see the open bill beneath the surface of the water. However, I can’t see the prey.

EOS 7D, EF400mm, 580 EX II: ISO 124, 1/1250 s, f/7.1, fill flash, image is 5184 x 3456 pixels (=18MP or full frame for the 7D). Usual post processing (selective NR (it still seemed to need it even at this low ISO), exposure adjustment, cloned out distracting bright branch in water, sharpening).

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on February 16, 2010 at 5:34 PM

Cool shot. It's definitely unique but in a good way. Good job on the natural looking fill. The only thing is I would like a bit more room around the head.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 16, 2010 at 8:09 PM

Steve,

It is very interesting to be able to see the bird's bill that deep into the water. A little more room below the bill and on the left side would improve the comp imho, but a different & unique image as posted.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 16, 2010 at 8:49 PM

Thank you for your interesting assessments and comments everyone. It's nice to know that this really is an unusual capture. Sorry though, it's not a crop: it's full frame. I could try adding canvas....but with this complex a background it would take an overdose of creativity. Interesting suggestion about using a polarizer, Rich. No one seems to mention filters in this gallery. I normally only use a uv filter and that's mainly to protect the lens.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 16, 2010 at 9:20 PM

I like how you just got the eye as well as the feathers up in the back. Not sure about the steep angle but they aren't always where we want them

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 17, 2010 at 7:35 PM

It is an interesting and unusual capture. Nice action shot.

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

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on February 17, 2010 at 11:59 PM

Good action on this one, but if you have room I would like to see more room at the bottom and ideally a lower angle would have been ideal.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments