Elegant Egret

This is an image that I originally posted on WC when we were working on desaturating most of an image but retaining one or two colors.

I really liked the image and reworked it in B/W with a blue filter. I also added a curves adjustment area to modify the contrast.

The Pelicans, Egrets, Gulls that hang out in the Marina know which side their bread is buttered on. They hang out at a dock where the fishing boats stop for fuel.

This image and others taken that day bring up more questions than the answer. The timing was late in the afternoon. It wasn't particularly cold and yet all of the birds appeared to be at rest. All of the information that I could find indicates the birds do sleep where they hang out and know they are safe. This particular area opens very early in the morning but closes down in the late afternoon and the docks are under lock and key.

Shooting information:
D200, f/4 500mm lens, Tripod, f/8, 1/1500 s, ISO 200, -.67 EV, Aperture Priority, Approximately 75% of frame.

Comments and suggestions welcome. I'm specifically wondering about using spot metering on birds such as this. Would really like to know what others do in similar situations.

Thanks,

Carol