YC Night Heron

Gallery: AvianPosted June 16, 2012172 views6 comments

I've been going to Bayou Sauvage NWR now for about ten years, and this year so far has been a bust - hardly a bird to be found. But this morning I was able to find this adult Yellow Crown on a perch along US 11. When I arrived the mate was also on the perch but flew away. I was fortunate that this one stayed around for a bunch of frames. Conditions were bright with the sun at my back, so in processing I attempted to tone the BG contrast down as much as I thought credible to put more emphasis on the bird. I haven't been able to capture any adults for several years, so was glad I got some good images of this one. Cropped 85% of original. Larger image included.

E-5 ZD300 F2.8 +EC-20 Wimberley I, ISO 400 1/1000 f5.7 -0.3EV

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on June 16, 2012 at 3:11 PM

One aspect of NPN I like is that we get to see birds photographed we may not be able to see ourselves. This is a new one for me and I like the shot. The Heron is nicely separated from the background. Nice perch and pose and the details look quite sharp on my screen. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on June 16, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Never seen one of these and great capture. I assume this is the male with the mate plume.

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 16, 2012 at 4:40 PM

Nice image and good opportunity. I lie the composition her and the heron's posture.

The BG is a bit on the strong side, and I'm not sure what steps you took to tone done the BG contrast. If this was my image I might try reducing the saturation of the green in the BG or darkening the BG a bit after selectively separating it from the heron and perch.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on June 16, 2012 at 6:44 PM

The Yellow Crowned Night Heron looks about right. I sort of agree with Richard about the BG; but it makes the heron look as if a flash was used. I would consider bringing the exposure down just a bit on the heron as well.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on June 16, 2012 at 7:04 PM

I think this is wonderful. I understand the suggestions, and the image would probably be great also with the suggestions applied, but I actually love this as posted. For me the light seems very natural. I find wonderful clarity here, and the pose is wonderful.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on June 20, 2012 at 7:13 PM

Excellent image Bill.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments