Ssshhhh
by Phocal

Comment by kiwinick:
very cometant NH shot 6

Foggy Morning
by Phocal

Comment by Lydia:
I love that focus RIGHT where it should be!

Foggy Morning
by Phocal

Comment by QuickClickMick:
Beautiful and moody composition, evokes a feeling of calm. Top 3 pick for me.

GBH 012
by Phocal

Comment by tnun:
great character showing.

Tenderness
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An appealing image that meets the challenge well.

Another great image Ronnie, well done. I Think Mariuca has already said it all! An excellent critique that I wholeheartedly agree with. The composition is superb giving us an intimate viewpoint that helps us really engage with the bird’s moment. You are absolutely right to expose for the whites, I prefer the darker exposure you have here you have magnificent detail throughout, perfectâ€Â¦

Feet - Taken for Granted Until They Are Gone
by Phocal

Comment by Phocal:
sidpixel Thank you for the always great critique. For you and kiwinick I seldom shoot vertical shots and for this shot I was after the feet, to show they grasp onto branches to hold on. I did take a few vertical shots but when he was on a different branch and they just didn't appeal to me. I also feel that horizontal shots do better on the screen when people are voting (here and at other places) because they show more of the image at a larger size. In 160 challenges I have entered 4 vertical shots..............

Tenderness
by Phocal

Comment by Phocal:
mariuca Thanks for the wonderful comments, they are greatly appreciated.

Tenderness
by Phocal

Comment by mariuca:
I loved this shot. The composition is superbe and it says so much about the mystery of life of this beautiful bird. I much prefer this image to the one processed the "professional" way that while being more precise is more banal. I am not looking for a very accurate image of a heron that I can see on tv in the numeous NG great shows; I long for the mystery of that specific moment that you captured so well. Just look at the jewel like eye glistening from a velvety surrounding to understand my pov

Feet - Taken for Granted Until They Are Gone
by Phocal

Comment by sidpixel:
Hello from the critique club

An unusual viewpoint that meets the challenge well.

A great perspective Ronnie! Your write up helps enormously in imaging the difficulties you encountered, well done in overcoming them with such an effective shot. Whilst I do like your unusual approach I have some agreement with kiwinick. Because these legs are so distinctive and because you can imagine them belonging to a bird with long legs there is a strong argument that they ought to be exploited to the full. If you have any portrait orientation shots it would be interesting to make a comparison

Feet - Taken for Granted Until They Are Gone
by Phocal

Comment by tnun:
gripping indeed. and I like the story.