4/26/2010
Intimate Snow
Of course, one of the wonders of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm is that you are able to get close, really close, to some of the nesting birds. This Snowy Egret shot was taken at the 560mm equivalent on the SX20IS. I did not have to switch to macro but it was almost there. 🙂 And of course, this close, you get wonderful detail. I have shots like this taken through the eyepiece of the ZEISS DiaScope spotting scope (digiscoped), but that is a different experience: a closeness without intimacy somehow. This is intimate.
Canon SX20IS at 560mm equivalent. F5.7 @ 1/60th @ ISO 200. Programmed auto with –1.3 EV exposure compensation.
Technically, I am very pleased with the SX20IS’s performance at ISO 200 here.
In Lightroom, just a touch of Recovery for the white highlights, a bit of Fill Light for shadows, and then Blackpoint to the right. Added Clarity and a smidge of Vibrance. Sharpen landscape preset.
From St. Augustine FL 2010.
Awesome shot!
Fabulous shot..
how far were you from the bird??
wow what a superb shot!! Amazing capture!!
I’m super-envious of this shot. WOW!
Very nice; very sharp and very intimate. I can see you would be pleased with the lens.
Why the -1.3EV? protecting the white feathers blowing out?
This just stunned me. I mean REALLY stunned me. It is THE best snowy egret photo I have ever seen anywhere. It is so personal and, as you say, intimate. It is bold and dramatic. I’ve never see a shot like this. You are so talented. Thank you for sharing it. Priceless!!