Cattle egret w/repost

Gallery: AvianPosted May 20, 2013130 views16 comments

A species that I believe many people ignore. I found a local group of breeding birds and they were actively gathering nesting materials. They were very skittish and would fly way around me if I was not hidden below a rise. Still looking for the ultimate shot of one carrying nesting materials, if there is such a thing. Well, I believe I can do better, but I kind of like this shot especially given it was taken at ISO 1000.

Canon 1Dx
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TV
ISO 1000
1/1000s
f/7.1
manual exp
Hand held

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 20, 2013 at 5:26 PM

Nice flight shot. I agree the species might be overlooked, probably because it doesn't hang out in the same places as the other two white egrets do.

The only thing that would improve this for me is more texture in the far wing.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 20, 2013 at 6:25 PM

I agree Rich. A bit of motion blur and DOF issue in the far wing I believe.

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

Comment posted by Tjie Poo on May 20, 2013 at 6:38 PM

I agree the far wing is lacking a bit details, but I don't mind. It is still a fabulous shot ! Well done !

Registered on December 4, 2012, 51 Posts, 511 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 20, 2013 at 8:07 PM

I do agree with Richard, but this is an excellent shot! These guys can be very skittish as singles. They will torture you to death, flying just far enough to be out of range. Walking shots are a disaster on continuous autofocus with a slow lens (mine), because of the exaggerated head motion.

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

Comment posted by jack jaeger jr on May 20, 2013 at 9:07 PM

I think its a really great shot. The detail in the face and the dark background work well.

Registered on April 2, 2012, 26 Posts, 355 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on May 20, 2013 at 9:44 PM

Gorgeous shot. Reminds me of the typical "Dove with Olive Branch" image, but so much more rare and special. Love the color details in the body and concur with the comments about the far wing, but that is a minor item for me.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on May 20, 2013 at 9:53 PM

I like the feel if this image. The background really makes the bird pop.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 20, 2013 at 10:45 PM

I just don't see this breed often in Colorado Ron. I love Cattle Egret. Last year we have a few nesting a couple hours north of me, but far away from a good spot to catch them. This year, I have seen one and he wasn't too cooperative.
I always like the nesting "gathering" type shots. Good wing position. Motion blur already noted, but still very nice.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on May 20, 2013 at 11:06 PM

The lack of detail in the far wing is the only thing keeping this from being a 10. I'll give it a 9 as is. I really like the dark BG. It sets off the cattle egret perfectly. I think the lack of detail in the far wing is due to direction of light more than motion blur or depth of field? I wonder if you can bring in more detail with a little work in PS?

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on May 21, 2013 at 6:00 AM

A nice situation well captured.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 21, 2013 at 12:00 PM

Nice job in getting this difficult shot. I like the contrast between bird and background and amazing the whites turned out well with high ISO. Well done Ron.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 21, 2013 at 12:40 PM

Here is another version where I burned the far wing down just a bit. It did bring out more detail, but you can't really tell very well in the 720px version.

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on May 21, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Works for as posted, Ron. Quality flight shot if you ask me

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 21, 2013 at 3:44 PM

The re-post does looks better. Either way, it's another sweet flight Capture Ron. The wing positin is perfect, and the branch is a huge bonus.

Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 21, 2013 at 6:28 PM

Very beautiful image Ron, excellent color & tone.
I see some minimal loss of detail in the whites LP, but one might expect it at ISO 1000.
Best of luck in your quest for "the ultimate shot of one carrying nesting materials", it's an a very worthy goal

Nice work!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 23, 2013 at 11:09 AM

The burning is evident to me on the repost...I like the first one better, and except for that L wing, is perfect! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments