Kathy Buckard
April 2026 - COMING IN FOR A LANDING
About the Image(s)
Taken at Fort DeSoto, Florida, where a shallow tidal stream draws flocks of birds as it ebbs and flows with the tide. This Reddish Egret is captured mid-hunt, using its signature feeding technique??”spreading its wings to cast a shadow over the water while searching for small fish. I especially like how the background reflects the untouched, natural beauty of the beach.
Nikon D500, ISO-200, 1/3200 F7.1 Focal Length 116, Lens Nikkor 80-400.
9 comments posted
You can almost see the rest of the landing. I love it Posted: 04/05/2026 19:46:50
Fort DeSoto is a great place to find many types of birds. Should have had more area in front of the bird so everyone could see where the bird was going. Posted: 04/13/2026 01:50:49
Great capture Kathy. I'm not a birder, but I know Reddish Egrets are now quite rare in Florida. Lots of Sandhill cranes near where my brothers lived in Bradenton. The eyesight is both panoramic and telescopic along the beak, so I don't think he was hunting, just landing. Their keen telescopic eyesight allows them to land softly, and from my experience with cranes and herons, quite elegantly.
The eye is sharp, the background is blurred nicely, and the color good. Since this is a general group, I would suggest a longer landing area for your egret. I used generative AI in PS to add more space, You could also try a horizontal flip to see if you like it flying into, rather than out of the frame. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:26:10
The eye is sharp, the background is blurred nicely, and the color good. Since this is a general group, I would suggest a longer landing area for your egret. I used generative AI in PS to add more space, You could also try a horizontal flip to see if you like it flying into, rather than out of the frame. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:26:10
Flipped and expanded. Maybe you already have more to the left and can add it in to keep it for Nature Division. Posted: 04/05/2026 23:30:12
Good point about bird entering from left. Thanks for your comments. Posted: 04/08/20 Posted: 04/08/2026 16:48:16
Nice catch for sure. It is also lovely with background blurred out. Posted: 04/08/2026 16:32:40
You are right, just lovely! Posted: 04/08/2026 16:52:34
I agree with Bob that adding more to the left would give the bird a place to land. I toned down the yellow/green of the grass. Great capture! Posted: 04/12/2026 16:40:56
Thanks for your comments. Will have to try to give my subjects more room in the future. Posted: 04/13/2026 01:48:51