Great Blue Heron, Green Island Wetlands, Mississippi River, Iowa
You know how much I like to rave about “killer light”, a term I admit I have not invented, but this is the best description of great light for nature photography I have found so far! It doesn’t matter what we call it, it is just about the best quality of light mother nature provides for us. The Great Blue Heron may migrate to the south for the winter but they are here as soon they can find open water. I have pictures with snow and ice in the background and if there is a chance the heron can catch fish, you will find them standing and waiting for prey in shallow water.
It is human nature that the eye goes first to the brightest part of an image, and second to the sharpest. If we make sure the highlights are not blown out on the head of the bird and if we have the eye in focus, it is easy to expose and make the click. For this image an exposure compensation of -0.7 EV was necessary to accomplish the task.
Nikon D750, Sigma 150-600mm / f5-6.3 DG OS HSM S, @ 600 mm, 1/500 s, f/6.3, ISO 100