FINALLY caught this guy!

[CourtSC]

I have been chasing this bird for weeks!

1.



2.

 

[SCraig]

Beautiful bird. I don't blame you for chasing it.

 

[JacaRanda]

Wow, I would probably freak out and miss the shot if I saw one that color. Very nice!

 

[CourtSC]

The first picture is looking out of focus to me here, but the original file doesn't! Hope it's just my eyes and I didn't post an unfocused picture on here!

 

[DarkShadow]

Nice! Looks Like a little Blue Heron. IMO Herons are a PITA to catch, they fly off even when your a great distance from them.

 

[Ysarex122 116]

It's the Blue Bird of Happiness.

 

[Ysarex122 116]

Very nice shot -- I know how easily they spook. Consider that the photos could use a contrast boost, some tone balancing and some color correction. How about like this:

Joe

 

[CourtSC]

I love it!!! I'm kinda clueless in the PP realm! I have the hardest time knowing what's right and how to get there!! THANKS!!!!

 

[BillM]

Beautiful bird, love the pose in number 2. Well done :thumbup:

 

[matthewo]

Is this at magnolia, i photographed the same bird

 

[baturn]

Nice! I'm not familiar with this bird, so thanks for sharing.

 

[Votarient]

IM LOVI'N IT!

 

[harishu]

could you please explain as to what you did to fix this picture?

Very nice shot -- I know how easily they spook. Consider that the photos could use a contrast boost, some tone balancing and some color correction. How about like this:

Joe

View attachment 70724

 

[nzmacro]

Where the heck do you folks find these strange coloured Heron's. Amazing in the even colouring and BTW, fine shots !! I would be chasing this one around as well. Nice PP on that Ysa, very well done.

All the best and great to see.

Danny.

 

[Ysarex122 116]

could you please explain as to what you did to fix this picture?

Very nice shot -- I know how easily they spook. Consider that the photos could use a contrast boost, some tone balancing and some color correction. How about like this:

Joe

View attachment 70724

Sure. I downloaded the OP's photo from Photobucket. I checked the EXIF data to learn about the photo and how it was taken and processed. The OP used Lightroom or Photoshop ACR to process the photo and the process settings are stored in the EXIF data. I noted that the WB was set to "As shot" and the color temp was recorded as 5500 degrees K. Given the lighting condition in the photo 5500 degrees K is simply impossible and way off -- a classic camera auto white balance failure. The color temp for this photo was likely above 7000 degrees K. I knew then I had to warm the photo up substantially. I did that in Photoshop. Then I raised the contrast of the photo -- a lot. First I set a black point in Levels since that was missing. I prefer to raise contrast using a Soft Light blend in Photoshop so that I also have simultaneous control of the saturation level. With the black point set and the contrast raised the bird got too dark and the background too light so I lightened the bird by painting on a Screen blend and I darkened the background by painting on a Multiply blend.

Joe