Great Blue Heron in Fog

[RSL]

You can come out of the corner now, Andrew. I cropped this one. Couldn't avoid it.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

Since you already committed a crime, then go all the way: clone out the area around the left wing, so that the floating thingies do not touch it. Also, I am usually a fan of vignetting, but here it is totally counterproductive.

[amolitor]

That's fantastic. I love what the fog and the camera did to the wing feathers, just delicious delicateness. Really really nice. If I bought photographs, this would be shortlisted right now (but I don't, alas

[RedwoodGuy]

The photograph has great detail particularly in the egret. That's interesting. The exposure freezes the bird in a way enjoyed by some, but not all, as it tends to render the dynamic as static, but that's an artists preference. If it was a document about egrets, one might want the sharpest and most frozen image possible. If the intent was a photograph about the milieu maybe some motion would be desired. The viewer right here doesn't know the intent.

The content is well arranged, but oddly the interest doesn't hold too long for me. Nothing but the bird? I just don't find anything else to grab. And then there is the vignette. I wouldn't apply it to a photograph like this, and certainly not this dense. First, it tells me to ignore the b/g. That may be part of the reason my interest flags quickly. The vignette also is a style statement, and unfortunately today, that style reads "syrupy and romantic". I think just looking through this vignette makes the photo better in every way.

This would be successful for me without the vignette.

[Justan]

An unusual composition for you and very nicely done.

[Doug Frost]

IMO, one of your best landscapes. And I think you can be forgiven for cropping.

As W. Eugene Smith once said, "The world just does not fit conveniently into the format of a 35mm camera."

[Chairman Bill]

Looks like a Grey Heron rather than an Egret </pedant mode>

[walter.sk]

Looks like a Grey Heron rather than an Egret </pedant mode>

I think so.  Or possibly a Tricolor Heron.  But either way, the mood captured makes this different from most bird pix.  Kudos!

[Bruce Cox]

The reflection of the tree sandwiched between the bird and its reflection works very well.

Bruce

[Isaac]

Looks like a Grey Heron rather than an Egret </pedant mode>

</4 foot tall not 2 foot tall mode>

[Peter McLennan]

This would be successful for me without the vignette.

I agree. Here, it's too obvious.  Usually, if it's noticeable to a normal* viewer, it's not working.

Other than that, it's lovely.  Especially the feathers details.  You can feel the wing stalling.




* whatever that means   : (  

[Chris Calohan]

Yummy but agree to at least dimming down the vignette.

[RSL]

Opinions vary. Situation normal. But I'm beginning to agree about the vignette. On the other hand, most of the left part of the vignette isn't a vignette. Also, looking closer, that isn't an Egret at all. It's a great blue. The tassel behind his head is the clue.

[Riaan van Wyk]

The fog is a welcome bonus to this Russ, the original vignette I also found too pronounced. So for me I prefer the last picture posted.

[RSL]

Thanks Riaan.The fog was the reason I was out there. Any time I get up in the morning and see fog I grab my camera and go out on the river. I can shave, shower, and eat later.