White Egret and White Heron

[Nancy Moran G]

I hope I have these names correct. Both photos taken in early morning on a bright beach. I know white birds can be difficult so I am hoping for some critique. I did some contrast, shadow, and detail in Windows editing program.
I am watching tutorials for my new PSE 11. I would love to be able to brighten the yellow beak/feet, or such but have not figured out such a way to do a small area to enhance colors.
No filters.

1- 1/800, F 7.1, 220mm, ISO 125 tripod


2- 1/1600, F 7.1, 220 mm, ISO 125 tripod


3- 1/320, F 10.0, 98mm, ISO 250 handheld


4- 1/320, F 10.0, 98mm, ISO 320 handheld



I know the last 2 are almost identical settings. I was looking at something else, and turned to see this little guy almost at me feet. As not wanting s=to scare him away, I twisted my body trying to get him in view without moving much. And then, he was off..
Thank you,
Nancy

Just saw the voting is open for Dec, BOY is that a tough choice!

[Brownbear]

All lovely.

For me the 1st image is just WOW! Gorgeous. I love the background and composition and the light. Beautiful. #3 is also stunning but something about the position of the egret is a little odd (to me)

Followed closely by #4, a little smaller WOW!

Beautiful focus, detail, exposure and detail. Love this set!

[Nancy Moran G]

Thank you for your kind words. #1 just looks like he is saying mmmm, like us with our chin in our hand.
I keep learning from you, thanks.
Nancy

[Brownbear]

Not kind words, when I say WOW, I really mean it.

Thank you for your kind words. #1 just looks like he is saying mmmm, like us with our chin in our hand.
I keep learning from you, thanks.
Nancy

[Bobobird]

Look good to me. Like the last one.

[Saorsa]

Those are great shots but neither is a Heron. The larger one is a Great Egret and the smaller with the yellow wading shoes is a Snowy Egret.

There is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron which has lighter yellow legs. If the legs are black, as in your pictures, it is a Great Egret. That's a pretty common misidentification but the White Morph is a fairly rare bird found in the Caribbean and South Florida. The Great Egret has a much larger range.

[Nancy Moran G]

Thank you Sarosa. I knew someone would come along with the right names.
Thank you
Nancy

[jamn4ex]

These are very good Nancy. I love the composition and coloring looks great . 1 is my favorite, you handled the whites very well.

[NorthernFocus]

Hey, Nancy. Some beautiful birds. You did pretty good with the whites from what I can tell. I'm not on a calibrated monitor so will confine my comments to composition etc.

Ironically the first shot lends itself best to a vertical crop and is the only one you presented in landscape. The BG is pretty busy so using as large and aperture as possible would be good.

Similar comment regarding aperture on 3 and 4. Particularly 3 would be improved with a wider aperture. Also 3 and 4 would be much improved if you had knelt or squatted down to shoot at eye level with the birds. If they surprise you from behind as you describe, the trick is not to look at them, definitely don't make eye contact if you can help it. You could slowly kneel down then get everything ready and slowly turn around and take the shot.

[FrankMi]

Nice job on the details in the white feathers Nancy!

When your subject is much taller than wide, as they are here, usually the vertical crop will work better as you have done in 2, 3, & 4.

[IzzieK]

Nice series Nancy...despite the comments, I like #2 best followed by #3. Portrait for tall legged birds is the norm for me...unless it is sitting down spreading a bit of body...well.......actually it depends, just here in your subjects, portrait would have been better. Or is it my eyes?

[Nancy Moran G]

Thank you Dan for your detailed comments. I will try working on that.
Frank and Izzie, also thank you. An L bracket or new tripod is on my list for my future lottery winnings
Nancy

[bnnrcn]

They are very nice, I would prefer the first one in a vertical crop..

[deetheturk]

Great shots Nancy,well captured!