While browsing along the Concho River I spotted this Great Egret, (Ardea alba), stalking prey among some feeding American Coots, Fulica americana). Since I was across the river, about 150 yards away, they were oblivious of me. They looked so peaceful, co-existing in their own world, I thought it would make for some good photographs.
Great Egret and American Coot
Great Egret and American Coots
Photographed with my Canon EOS 7D and Canon 500mm f4 lens with a 1.4 tele-converter. Exposure 1/1000 sec. @ f11, -1.3EV, ISO 400. I love to under-expose these whites then post-process in Photoshop CS5. That’s just me. I hope you like. Click either image to see enlargements.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
Are the Egret and the Heron related in any way, Bob? Apart from the colour and some of the plumage, they look very similar!
Cheers
John
Great photos Bob!!!
Thank you very much, David.
I never grow tired of seeing the egret. In water, on land, or in the sky they exemplify grace and beauty. Beautiful photographs, Bob. ~ Lynda
I agree with you one hundred percent, Lynda. Thank you for your great comment and compliment. 🙂
Looks like a very harmonious meeting! Beautiful!
Thank you very much, Karen. I appreciate your compliment. 🙂
It’s amazing to watch them enjoying in their own world. Very nice shots, Bob. The two colors, striking-white and the black of the coot, look so great in the photos. And green in the background makes the photos complete. Brilliant, loved them! 🙂
Hey, Nandini, I thank you very much for the kind words. 🙂
Well done!!
Thanks, Rob
Beautiful job as usual. I have not gotten a shot of these yet. I used to see them all the time when I worked further away, now not so much 😦
Thank you very much, Sheila. I hope you get to see and photograph them again soon. 🙂
Excellent work Bob!
Thanks, H.J..
To bad people can’t be as peaceable as these lovely birds are. Absolutely your best yet..what quietness it brings..
Thanks again, Syl, for all of your kind words. 🙂
Thank you, Syl. I am so glad that you like my photographs so much. You always have such nice kind words. 🙂
They are wonderful photos Bob, I love the peaceful feeling they convey!
Thanks, Mia, but I have a confession to make. When I took the shots I really was focusing on the Egret. I knew the coots were there but my intention wasn’t originally to leave them in the photo. If it were, I might have planned the DOF differently. Oh, the webs we weave…………….. 🙂
Stunning pictures! Thanks for putting the photoshop tips at the end, helps newbies (like me) to learn new skills!
http://wp.me/23GAp
Thank you very much, Natalie. I appreciate such great comments, and I hope you will visit again. 🙂