Black Crowned Night Heron

[redrew]

Canon 1D Mark II, Canon 600mm + 1.4x

[ggt]

His feathers really stand out! I'm wondering if you could blur the background a bit more so he really pops? His gray tail feathers are nicely defined. Wow, really!

[ronlane]

looks really good Rollin. Was this taking in OKC?

[redrew]

Thank you Gretchen for your suggestion. By utilizing layers I am sure I could blur the background which would better emphasize the bird. I must confess I do not necessarily follow the "bird on a stick" composition theory as I prefer wading birds with a little of their surrounding environment to make a more interesting photograph.

Ron, as to where the photo was taken, it was a small slough at Portland Ave. and Grand Blvd. on the Southeast side of lake Hefner in OKC. During the drought it has, unfortunately, dried up, so no more wading birds for now. I photographed this bird from my SUV, so it is very accessible.

Rollin E. Drew

[Geoff F]

I just wonder, Rollin, if a tighter crop would remove some of the distracting background. Maybe lose a bit from top and bottom to end up with 5 x 4 ratio as I don't really want to lose any more from the sides.

I'm not really sure; another case of try it then decide I suspect.

[redrew]

Yes Geoff I think a little more crop off of the top and bottom would help, particularly the top.

Rollin E. Drew

[jprzybyla]

Hello Rollin, welcome to CIC, Nice Black Crowned, I like it like it is. Great color and detail, well done.

[jeeperman]

I like it too, nicely done.

[redrew]

Thank you all for the comments.

Rollin E. Drew

[WJT]

Nice shot Rollin, I like the whole scene, it is picturesque and more than a portrait.

[Bobobird]

Nice shot. I would leave it as is pp-wise.

[botspur]

Hi Rollin, I really like it and echo most of the comments above. You've placed it in the environment exactly where one would expect to see a heron. Would you know the Latin name as I'm interested to see if it is the same species as our Blackcrowned Night Heron.