Mean Joe Green

[Chris Calohan]

First Green Heron I've seen up our way for the nesting season. They are among the smallest of the Heron family and like their taller brothers, they are relentless hunters with perhaps the fastest beaks you'll ever see anywhere. This guy is less than a foot long.

Mean Joe Greene was a Defensive Tackle for the Pittsburg Steelers football team, known for his hard hits and relentless pursuit of a runner.

[sdwilsonsct]

Very fine, Chris. Good detail, pose, light.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Excellent, Chris.
And he does look mean.

[Chris Calohan]

Sorry, I didn't notice until now the internet had pulled its usual screw the blacks, full dark ahead trick. Therefore, I've done an edit I hope will show what it looks like in print form...

[Jeremy Roussak]

Great shot, Chris. The edit improves the bird's tail, I think, but I don't particularly like the lightening of the area below him.

Jeremy

[stamper]

Jeremy makes a good point. A very nice image either way and no need to look for perfection?

[NancyP]

Very nice and characteristic image of green heron.

[Ian stuart Forsyth]

Very nice work

[jerryw]

Sorry, I didn't notice until now the internet had pulled its usual screw the blacks, full dark ahead trick. Therefore, I've done an edit I hope will show what it looks like in print form...

What an interesting bird.  I've had the privilege to see a few of these guys in the wild - always fun.

The detail in this shot really draws you into spending time to study the bird's details and all the subtle and not-so-subtle colors.

• (I wish the background could have been blurred a bit more to further de-emphasize the branches - but I know there are tradeoffs.  Maybe do a little more background blur in post?  Dunno...)

Anyway - I really enjoyed this image - thanks for sharing it.