Four Snowy Kerfuffle

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

. . .And one spectator Great Egret. Four Snowy Egrets converging for a territorial fight. This was a unique spot at an open major tide gate at the Savannah NWR. The good fishing spots were limited, on the downed tree in the canal the Snowy’s were roosting in, especially at high tide.

DSC_0681-copy
DSC_0681-copy1569×1207 991 KB

What technical feedback would you like if any?

This is a little soft. A compromise between noise, Shutter speed and DOF. Also a significant crop. Was it a “bridge too far”?

What artistic feedback would you like if any?

This was a tough spot to get full views of the action. Was I too ambitious trying to get all four birds in action?

Any pertinent technical details:

Camera Info: Nikon D500, HH
Lens: VR 300mm f/4E + 1.4x TC
Focal Length: 420mm
Focus Mode: AF-C
AF-Area Mode: Dynamic, 25 points
VR: ON
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/400s
Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Metering: Spot
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1600
40% of full frame
PP in LR/PS CC 2019, Camera Raw filter, Topaz DeNoise, Topaz Studio, TK sharpen for web@50%

You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
2

Hi Phil. This is one of those images that’s all about the intended purpose. As a wall hanger fine art print, it probably doesn’t make it. As one of a series of images about the lives and interactions of these birds, it’s excellent. It conveys the chaos very well and I like the calm spectator, though it would work even better if it were in profile, but getting five birds to cooperate is asking for a lot.

3

A nice interaction shot. Too bad we can’t see the head of the spectator.

4

Who won? Definitely a scene that I’ve witnessed several times. All the egrets are reasonably sharp which is a major challenge especially in an action shot. Well done. Oh, love your title. I haven’t heard the word kerfuffle in too many years to count.