A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) seems to be a regular visitor to the beaver pond at my local marsh (and may have taken up residence nearby), but usually fishes in an area in which it is tough to get a clear shot.
One recent morning, however, I was happy to see him in a closer area and was able to get these shots. The first one has a less cluttered background, which helps to highlight the heron’s head. Sometimes, though, I like the second one better, in which the heron is tucked into the midst of the growth and is partially camouflaged.
Do you have a preference for one of the two images?
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I like them both. I haven’t seen many herons this year.
I prefer image 2 as the cattails in front of the heron give a color difference to the bird’s plumage, making the color of the heron stand out more. Also, I like the challenge of hunting for the heron’s legs in the second image.
Both are great, first photo edges out the second for me.
I am always happy if the vegetation doesn’t obscure the head of a bird. They have uncanny abilities to perch behind sticks.