Landing Wheels Down

Gallery: AvianPosted March 8, 2011182 views9 comments

It won't be too long before the white pelican will be leaving our area. It's such a joy to have them winter on our neighborhood lake. This one was not planning on landing in the water but was landing on a wooden platform where his buddies were basking in the sun. Be sure to take a look at the large version. Comments welcomed.

Nassau Bay Texas (Houston)
7D, 500 mm F/4L + 1.4 TC
Gitzo Tripod, Wimberly
F/7.1, 1/3200, ISO 400, -0.67
Slight crop, PP CS5 curves & sharpening

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 8, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Dottie, this is a beauty. sharp, great colors, nice wing position and water texture. I'd suggest leaving more room on the left, and moving the bird down in the frame. Some of the whites are a little hot too, so you might experiment with the 'recovery" tool and brightness/contrst sliders.
Very nice shot with that new 500!
sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 9, 2011 at 8:00 AM

Very nice, Dottie. Beautiful bird sporting those intense mating colors. Nice catch light in the eye. Very sharp and the techs are right on. I like the comp that you have chosen. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 9, 2011 at 8:03 AM

Excellent sharpness, you've frozen the action very well Dottie.
Exposure looks fine to me, great DOF too..
Looks like the bird's hanging in place saying shoot me, shoot me!

Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on March 9, 2011 at 8:37 AM

I think he looks like he's taking a bow. Good exposure on the whites. The rich blue of the water really sets him off. Nicely done.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 9, 2011 at 11:43 AM

Nice pose - I'd give it room on the left also.

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

Comment posted by Dottie Short on March 9, 2011 at 11:47 AM

To those that want more room on the left. I only cropped the bottom and right just a tiny bit. I would have to add canvas on the left, which is an option. This pelican practically flew on top of my 500 lens. There are advantages and disadvantages to every piece of camera equipment. Thanks to all who posted with suggestions. Dottie

Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 9, 2011 at 5:40 PM

This looks perfect to me. The sharpness and the pose are outstanding.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 9, 2011 at 5:46 PM

Sweet Catch Dottie