This shot has some great elements—a Great White Egret and a Great Blue Heron, practicing together in the trees for their audition for “Dancing With the Stars.” They look to be almost perfectly synchronized, though the heron may need to work on his neck position. From a technical perspective, alas, the shot is far from great, but it was interesting enough that I decided to share it.
I frequently see egrets roosting in the trees along Cameron Run, a stream in Alexandria, Virginia that feeds into the Potomac River, but this is the first time that I had seen a blue heron fly into the trees. I was shooting from a running path that parallels one side of the stream. Shooting across a considerable amount of growth as well as the stream itself, I find it difficult to get a close-up shot. In this photo, I had startled the heron and he took off into the trees, startling the egret, who was already perched there.
Dancing in the trees
I continue to have difficulties getting good shost of the egret, because there is often glare and it is hard to keep the highlights from blowing out. Here is a shot of an egret in partial shade that has some detail, but I can’t seem to keep the detail without imparting a grayish tinge to what is a really white bird. I will definitely keep trying, though, because I find the egrets and herons to be fascinating to watch in their almost geeky gawkiness.
Egret in a tree along Cameron Run
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I disagree on the “technical perspective” of the first picture. Any picture with egret and great blue in such an activity IS a perfect picture!!! It started my day off on a pleasing note. Thanks.
You and I think alike in some ways. We both agree that the photo was interesting enough to be worth sharing. A professional might have felt too inhibited to share it, but I’m just someone who likes to take photos.
The experience starts it all. I would’ve been so excited to witness such an encounter!
Now I want to see an egret in the wild!
Definitely. They are fun to watch live.
I would think seeing both birds in a tree at the same time like that would be a rare event, lucky to be caught at all.
Amen. I try to do the best I can when situations arise. I am happy I caught it at all. Thanks for the encouraging words.
Great to catch those two birds in action. I share your frustration with capturing white birds – there seems to be a small sweet spot.