Green Heron Flying Along the Tárcoles Mudbank

A Green Heron races low over dried river debris with chestnut neck extended and yellow feet drawn back beneath blue-gray wings at Tárcoles River in Costa Rica. The chestnut neck, dark cap, dagger-shaped bill and blue-green back identify this compact waterside heron; in strong sunlight its subtly iridescent back and wings often appear slate blue-gray rather than visibly green. The exposure of 1/4000 sec, f/5.6 and ISO 2500 freezes the decisive body position and separates the principal wing and tail feathers while retaining only fine traces of motion at the fastest edges; the photograph was made in natural light without flash.