Early yesterday morning when I arrived at my local marsh, two Great Egrets (Ardea alba), were already up and trying to find some breakfast. At this time of year, I suspect that they may be eating a lot of frogs at this location, though I didn’t actually see them catch anything. Eventually they wandered into the reeds and cattails, so I gradually lost sight of them.
In the past, I had a lot of trouble taking photos of these beautiful white birds and usually I ended up blowing out the highlights. Two things seemed to have helped me deal with these issues. I am paying a lot more attention to exposure compensation and I am underexposing by as much as two f-stops. Additionally, I am using a longer telephoto lens and filling more of the frame with the subject somehow helps me to get a better exposure.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I’ve never seen one of these birds here. I’m going to have to do some investigating and find out if they come this far north. I’d love to see one.
That all seems to be working quite well for you. It’s nice when you can notice your photos improving.
Your exposure is right on, and I really like that second image!
Thanks, Gary. I’m shooting enough that I am beginning to get the hang of my camera and how to make it work in some of the situations that I encounter.