Butch Mazzuca
January 2025 - Mating Plummage
About the Image(s)
This is a Great White Egret (Ardea alba) in its breeding plumage shot at the rookery at the Alligator Farm in St. Augustine, Florida. During the mating season, these birds grow long, delicate feathers called aigrettes, which they use in courtship displays. I thought the subject’s elegant posture and the dramatic display of plumage worked better in black-and-white with the shadows and wispy clouds adding to the presentation.
6 comments posted
Stunning image Butch! Surely the Great White Egret attracted an excellent mate with that display! :) The graceful pose, beak pointing straight up, and delicate fan of aigrettes look exquisite! I admire your dedication and skill in bringing all these elements together so beautifully!! Perfection in black and white! Posted: 01/12/2025 00:44:21
Kathleen - your words are so kind, and I truly appreciate your comments - I don't know if it's "perfection :-)" but I do try to create images with a high degree of impact and visual interest and it just makes me feel good when someone recognizes that. Thank you again, Posted: 01/12/2025 12:31:08
Well, I do not know, where my laudatio went - the comment is missing! But I do remember, that I was flashed from the perfect light meets the egret. The feathers are like a crown and the monochrome version of your picture underlines a great scene! Well done, Butch! Posted: 01/12/2025 23:48:40
Thank you Peter,your words are very welcomed by me
Posted: 01/13/2025 03:30:28
Posted: 01/13/2025 03:30:28
I always struggle with black and white photos, I particularly like the texture of the feathers and the tree. Posted: 01/14/2025 16:10:35
Don't feel badly Roy, so do I. But with this image I just wasn't crazy about the color version so I converted - sometimes it works :-) Posted: 01/14/2025 16:31:28