R Gary Butler, QPSA, PPSA  


Egret Breakfast by R Gary Butler, QPSA, PPSA

March 2025 - Egret Breakfast

About the Image(s)

Another image from Merritt Island in early February. This was shot with my R5 and the 100-500 mm lens and the 1.4 extender at 700mm. The camera was set at ISO 1000, 1/2500 second and f/10. Simple processing in LR and DxO Color Efex.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted




Guy Davies   Guy Davies
A super shot of this egret, Gary. Good control of the detail in the whites and I like the slightly rippled reflection. Nice pose, although it almost looks like it has three legs with the tail touching the water! No background distractions.   Posted: 03/01/2025 09:13:27



Vella Kendall   Vella Kendall
Beautiful and good exposure with nothing blown out. Par contre Guy, I find the big bubble to the right of beak distracting. It is a lovely reflection and the little fish, though small, can be seen adding to the story.

I noticed you have been using your extender and it hasn't affected the quality of your photos, makes me think of investing in one.   Posted: 03/05/2025 10:21:43
R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Vella, Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, in nature competition for PSA I cannot take anything out of the image. Yes I am using my extender, just used it yesterday at Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Combined with the R5 Canon camera and the 100 500 lens, it is a perfect addition and does not degrade the quality of the image. If you invest in one, let me know what you think of it.   Posted: 03/05/2025 10:34:55



Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Gary, peak of action. Perhaps reducing the brightness in the Egret's body you may get a little more detail in the feathers. They look slightly soft. Could be the combination with the extender which always degrades the image slightly. Nice reflection.   Posted: 03/06/2025 13:20:26



Ian Chantler   Ian Chantler
Hi Gary
Yet another stunning nature image captured by this group,I actually like the disturbance in the water it adds to the story,the eye is sharp and the fish is the icing on the cake,stunning reflection, its more than a keeper.   Posted: 03/08/2025 14:23:32



Bill Buchanan   Bill Buchanan
A stunning composition of the white egret. The ripples in the water add to the overall visual impact. It is hard to tell if the whites are blown out on my laptop.   Posted: 03/10/2025 14:01:52
Guy Davies   Guy Davies
The whites just make it without being blown out on my desktop.   Posted: 03/11/2025 11:51:13
R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Thanks for the feedback. The whites are not blown out on my MacBook but I had a very fine line to work with. Any further reduction in whites or highlights started to create brownish tones in the feathers.   Posted: 03/11/2025 11:59:33



Erik Rosengren   Erik Rosengren
You captured the Egret in a good photo position, good water movement and color. Your summation didn't include manual setting, to me
-1 1/3 stops might have provided more distinct feather definition. Attached is my try.   Posted: 03/12/2025 16:58:40
Comment Image



R Gary Butler   R Gary Butler
Nice image.   Posted: 03/26/2025 20:45:22