Gotcha! and Repost

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Thanks everyone for your input and @Hans_Overduin for pointing out that it wasn’t quite straight. Here’s a straightened repost and I’ve eliminated the reflection of the head leaving just the subdued body.

-20231108-_A1_0183-Ridgefield-Edit-Edit
-20231108-_A1_0183-Ridgefield-Edit-Edit2048×1257 877 KB

Original:

-20231108-_A1_0183-Ridgefield-Edit.jpg
-20231108-_A1_0183-Ridgefield-Edit.jpg2048×1455 788 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I went to one of my favorite wildlife refuges Wednesday for the first time since January and found this American Bittern along the same canal I’d found one then. I don’t see these often enough to ever pass one up, so I spent quite a bit of time with it and managed to catch a successful fishing sequence . I could wish it were after larger prey, but not much I can do about that.

Specific Feedback

I didn’t have quite the whole reflection in this image, so I decided to crop up and since the eye stood out in the reflection, I cropped just above it. Did that work?

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 503 mm, beanbag in car window, f/9, 1/500, iso 3200, manual exposure. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 5952x4230. Minor adjustments to emphasize the bird and it’s prey. Taken at 9:35 Wednesday under overcast skies.

2 Likes
2

This is really nice. The bittern stands out well against the foliage and the detail in the bittern is great. The crop is fine; I could also see cropping out the reflection entirely.

3

Hah! It looks like it has the same wish, but you takes what you gets. Excellent detail and color, with the bird well separated from the BG/environment. I could see doing without the reflection, too. It’s just a bit awkward and the Bittern is such a strong subject that any extras are hardly needed.

4

That’s a great catch, a Bittern as they tend to be rather elusive birds. Well done ! Leaving out the bottom makes for an intimate shot, which works well. Hard to tell, but I got the feeling it’s not 100% level, you could try to experiment a bit with that. Love the image ! Cheers, Hans

5

HI Dennis
This is one of the best American Bittern photographs I have seen. The lighting, green grass, feather detail and eye contact, are great.
Peter

6

One of my nemesis birds. I just can’t get close to these guys but wow, did you get a great shot of one. I don’t mind the reflection but I do think I prefer the repost ever so slightly. Very intent look with fine colors and feather detail. Great catch, Dennis.