March 2025 - Great White Egret in Breeding Plumage
About the Image(s)
This image was taken on 2/3/25. The first Great White Egret of 2025 in Breeding Plumage. Of all the Florida birds, the Great White is high on my favorite list for beauty. Watching them display while trying to attract a mate is magical. This was taken in Wakodahatchee Wetlands. It is almost impossible to get this shot now since most are laying on the nests, the Woodstork's have moved in for breeding and all the leaves are gone. The first few times I see them, while they are still trying to find a partner, is the only time you can get them with green leaves in their background. Otherwise it is all bare sticks. Background is everything to bring out their beauty!
Taken with Sony A1 and 300mm 2.8 lens with a 2.0 teleconverter. (600mm)
1/2500 sec
f/6.3
ISO 1200
Post editing included LR - to denoise, decrease highlights, and crop to 5X4 Then took into PS to remove a few stray branches on the very top.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 9 comments posted
Sarita Yeola
What a beauty! You have captured the perfect breeding plumage display. The post processing is very well done. Posted: 03/06/2025 15:36:09
John Stumbos
Very nice, Sherry! I agree with Sarita. I am mesmerized by the fine detail in the plumage. Never seen that before, but you have shared many fine bird images that are always educational and well executed. Posted: 03/08/2025 15:10:20
Leslie Larson
ditto and ditto. Lovely egret! It might be a tiny bit dark. Not sure you could lighten the foliage without blowing out the white bird? Posted: 03/09/2025 20:24:22
Sherry Icardi
If you notice in my processing I did decrease highlights to eliminate a few blown out areas, unfortunately I had to use "subject" to decrease highlights. But I could also try selecting background and lighten the greenery. But I also did not want to compete with the beautiful breeding green on the Egret. So multiple pieces to my decision. I'll give it a try and post see if others agree. Posted: 03/11/2025 10:43:44
Sherry Icardi
Posted: 03/11/2025 10:44:18
Sherry Icardi
I really prefer the original. This is too close to the egret's breeding colors (lore). So I stand by my original, I think the darker color shows off the lore better than the lighter background. Posted: 03/11/2025 10:53:19
Judy Haran
Its really hard to get the perfect breeding plumage display. You make it look easy but I don't see this often on the Florida bird pages. The leafy background is very even, not like the sort of wind damaged sticks here on the west coast.
His green lore perfectly matches the vegetation. Beautiful photo. Posted: 03/10/2025 16:12:19
Gwen Callas-Miller
Stunning image, Sherry! I share your fondness for Egret plumage and you have captured a peak moment in all its glory. Posted: 03/11/2025 18:56:18
Leslie Larson
I like both the images, but perhaps the lighter one better. It's hard to see much difference and both are lovely. Posted: 03/24/2025 23:40:28
