Take-off: Brown Pelican

Gallery: AvianPosted February 6, 2010106 views17 comments

D300, 500mm f/4, handheld
ISO 250, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6
Manual Exposure Mode
Dec 28, 2009 at Ft. Desoto Park, FL
Cropped to about 60% of full frame. Selective exposure and sharpening of the pelican.
The wind had blown 30-35 knots for two days and the shorebirds were in hiding. However, I found pelicans feeding in a protected lagoon and spent a couple of hours trying to capture their activity. I like the wing position of the bird in this shot. The forward regions of the wings are in shadow, but the histogram was pretty far to the right and I was afraid to increase the exposure.
Comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 6, 2010 at 9:10 PM

Perfect timing David and excellent techs.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 6, 2010 at 9:20 PM

This bird looks like he's levitating, David: you've captured him so well. Great exposure, details and comp. No nits. Just a really well captured BIF.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 6, 2010 at 9:27 PM

Terrific! I like this a lot.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 6, 2010 at 9:35 PM

Perfect timing - really like the combination of the splash and the curled tips of the primaries

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 6, 2010 at 9:47 PM

David, in general, BPs are not one of my favorite subjects, but this image may just have me changing my mind. What a great dramatic shot this is. I just love the bird's position, especially the wings. The shadows are a non factor IMO. I also really like the BG and all the colors. Very nice detail and sharpness in the bird. Very well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 6, 2010 at 10:10 PM

Sweet flight shot of this rather common species - you really make it into something special

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 6, 2010 at 10:14 PM

This is terrific with the water splash and the flight pose of this bird. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on February 6, 2010 at 11:38 PM

Wonderful take off shot, David. I like the wing position and water splashing on the left. Great action shot!

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 6, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Sweet shot David! I really like the action you caught here and the tech's are excellent.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 7, 2010 at 6:34 AM

Dave,

Great work on getting this so sharp hand holding the 500mm at 1/250!

I love the lift off, the splashing water, how the water color changes as it gets closer to the mangroves in the background and how the wing tips are so close to the water.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 7, 2010 at 9:10 AM

Perfect timing on this one. Love the wing positions, the splash behind the bird. I'd take just a shave off the top if this were mine. Nice image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on February 7, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Very nice crisp details. Love the splash behind. Perfect timing on your part.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 7, 2010 at 12:03 PM

I like the action in this one, David. Wonderful body position.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 7, 2010 at 12:27 PM

Mia:
1/1250 sec NOT 1/250. I've been doing exercises for hand holding the 500mm (holding a 10 lb weight in shooting position) but I can't do 1/250 sec.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on February 7, 2010 at 3:38 PM

Apart from the great techs here, that splotch of water makes this a good action image. Love it. hh 500?

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2010 at 12:47 PM

Very nice timing on this picture, way to go. The detail on the larger image looks great, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 8, 2010 at 5:43 PM

Great techs, David! Ain't Ft Desoto a fun place? Can't wait to go over there in a few weeks.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments