lwingkay

Superb in details. The color and tone are harmonious.

lwingkay

[quote:1ef30e8279="lpaul"]The first picture actually shows the preen gland, not a wound:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preen_gland[/quote]

This is interesting. Here is an extract from Wikipedia that gives further details about how this gland functions.

Among animals, birds spend considerable time preening their feathers. This is done to remove ectoparasites, keep them in good aerodynamic condition, and waterproof them. They use the "preen oil" secreted by the uropygial gland, the dust of powder down, or other means such as dust-bathing or anting. When an oil spill affects penguins, animal conservation that rescue them sometimes dress them in knitted sweaters to stop them from preening and thereby ingesting the mineral oil which is poisonous.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preen]

lwingkay

Wing,
In both pictures, I have the feeling that vignetting had happened as the corners were abnormally dark. And this will have a significant consequence on the exposure of the heron: overexposure.
In the case of P5100, vignetting is especially obvious at the telephoto end of the zoom range.
Would like to know if vignetting had really happened?
Peter
PS
Having said the above, I must say the details in your shot are something that really inspire me.