White Neck Heron ??

[P Plates]

Saw this bird in a small water hole and pulled over. Hopping out of the car caused a small herd of cattle to race across the creek and up the far bank which of course set the bird to flight before I had changed the settings on my camera. So definitely a case of focus and hope for the best and quite heavily cropped as I only had my 70-200 on the camera. Take off Pity the background wasn't better

[Alan]

Sorry about the cattle. But you'll get another chance I'm sure.

I'd agree with your ID

Cheers

[loose cannon]

ID looks good to me. Just a tip for birding Gabby, always have 400 iso set as a minimum before you even get out of the car. I know you were rushed for time here but I'll mention that just for future reference and perhaps for the benefit of others.

When I'm birding I always have shutter speed set to 1/1250 if possible just in case an opportunity like this presents. If the bird remains still there's almost always time to wind things back a bit. Being the heavy footed clumsy clod that I am I assume that nine times out of ten the bird will take to the air before I get close enough for a static shot.

Well done capturing these at only 200mm! Impressive.

[seaslug]

Beautiful irridescence in the wing and back feathers.

[P Plates]

Thanks Alan, Mick and Greg. Will try and remember that advice Mick. Had just shot a landscape scene so beside low ISO also had the camera on bracketing - luckily only in 1 stop increments so not as bad as it could have been.