Jerry Biddlecom  

Egret Snuggle by Jerry Biddlecom

November 2024 - Egret Snuggle

November 2024 - Jerry Biddlecom

Original

About the Image(s)

This was taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, near West Palm Beach, a few years ago at a time when the wood storks had not begun to dominate the area. A pair of cattle egrets were nesting among the thick overgrowth not too far from the entrance, at a spot where a lot of photographers like to congregate. They were in some pretty heavy shade, so I had to brighten and add contrast in order to make them stand out more. I also had to decide how many branches I wanted to remove; the one that looks like it is emerging from the big egret's had to go, and the one in the lower right cutting across the bird's wing was a 50 - 50 on whether or not I would try for that one. I might still give it a go. Most of the editing was done in PS5 Camera Raw.

4 comments posted

Bruce Benson   Bruce Benson
Jerry, I love the story told by your image. I have several similar images from the Alligator Farm in ST Augustine. You removed the most important sticks. Perhaps a light vignette might limit distracting branches. Bruce   Posted: 11/12/2024 05:36:31
Cindy Marple   Cindy Marple
A very sweet capture of the interaction of the pair. Love the poses and closeness of the pair.
In the original image, all the leaves are a similar tonality, but in the edited version the ones on the right are much brighter than on the left. This makes them stand out more and to me compete somewhat for attention, away from the birds. I'd try to have them all the darker tonality of the left side leaves so they make a good base without attracting attention.
Regarding the 2nd branch, I'd leave it. I think it contributes to the story. Plus, the wing feathers are draped over it so removing it would be rather a challenge. Although perhaps with all the new AI tools not so much?
I do like the removal of the top branch to open up that part of the frame.
Overall quite a nice story-telling image.   Posted: 11/15/2024 01:52:45
Steve Cole   Steve Cole
Jerry, yes a very nice moment captured. The only thing I would try to reduce the "whites" a bit but not much. However it is very nice as it is now.   Posted: 11/18/2024 17:55:47
Adrian Binney   Adrian Binney
Jerry, this is a nice shot of a pair of Cattle Egrets win their environment and you did well to find an open view of them. Your development of the birds look perfect to me - no obvious excess brightness in the whites etc. You also did well in branch removal - I wonder of a bit of negative clarity work (or similar) would totally remove any evidence of the ex-branch close to the right bird's head. The front leaves could be a tax less bright to help the eye pass over them - they seem brighter than on your original.

Good image.   Posted: 11/20/2024 16:58:25

 

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