Lizard Legs for Lunch - Re-cropped

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

BolsaLizardLunch-topaz-sharpen-denoise
BolsaLizardLunch-topaz-sharpen-denoise2000×1469 1.2 MB

Re-cropped

BolsaLizardLunch-topaz-sharpen-denoise.jpg
BolsaLizardLunch-topaz-sharpen-denoise.jpg2000×1297 1.02 MB

Original

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I spotted this great egret working the sagebrush on top of the bluff at Bolsa Chica Preserve a few years back. It seemed to have a taste for lizards. This was the second one I saw this bird catch. This made me think of the cartoon of the frog with it’s hands around the throat of the heron as it was being swallowed with the caption “never give up!”

Specific Feedback

Is the composition alright? Any suggestions or comments are appreciated.

Technical Details

Canon 60D, f7.1, 1/3200s, iso 320, -1.3evv, 100-400 lens at 400 mm, Applied Topaz denoise.

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1 Like
2

HA! Great catch! Looks as if there is blood on the beak from the last catch.
Nice colours and BG. A little dodging and burning of the respective bits might even out the egret’s whites.
Cool image !

3

Whites look pretty good to me, Ed. Nice catch of some interesting behavior. I remember how amazed I was when I saw herons and egrets hunting voles around this area. They seem to have pretty eclectic tastes.

4

Great catch!! I’ve seen them catch bugs and was also astounded at what looked like a gopher one time!

I think you have a compelling shot here but the egret could be even more important in the frame if you crop from the left to about halfway into the beak.

5

Thank you @Sandy_Richards-Brown, @Dennis_Plank and @Diane_Miller. I’ve re-cropped, see above as suggested, thank you. Ed

6

The new crop is an improvement here Ed. It keeps the focus of the picture on the bird and its lunch!

7

Thank you @Ryan_H. :slightly_smiling_face:

8

Good behavioral shot and the crop does put more emphasis on the behavior. The background is nice and lets the egret pop.

9

Thank you @Allen_Brooks.

10

I like the cropped version because it makes a bigger visual impact than the original. Whites look good and a very nice BG for an egret’s breakfast. Well done…Jim

1 Like
11

Hi Ed, nice catch with fine details/exposure and love the feeding behavior. Great to see the lizard’s feet sticking out of the egret’s mouth. Well done.

1 Like
12

What a catch, for both of you, Ed. I also like the crop. I always feel for the prey, even though I know that it is necessary, as the egret has to eat too. This makes this an emotive image, seeing the little foot hanging out.

1 Like
13

Thank you very much @Jim_Zablotny, @Allen_Sparks and @Shirley_Freeman. I hear you Shirley. I got several shots of this action and it was pretty rough on the poor lizard.

1 Like