Spoonbill w/ REPOST

Gallery: AvianPosted March 23, 2011140 views21 comments

Out of many fantastic birds and many lifers, far and away the highlight of my trip to Florida were two wonderful Roseate Spoonbills at the small lagoon on Estero Island/Ft Myers Beach. What amazing, strange and beautiful birds. Here is the first of several photos I'll post of these. Let me know what you think of the comp--I can't decide if it needs more room (I have it) at the bottom for the legs.

Your comments and critiques are appreciated. Please view the larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm, monopod

1/1000, f/11, ISO 320

Crop to 86% of original (15.4 of 18MP)

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on March 23, 2011 at 10:59 PM

Brian, I love the head turn. Your own suggestion of a bit more room at the bottom is a good one. On my monitor the entire image could use more contrast and a bit more saturation. Try using levels or curves to give this wonderful image more "pop".

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 23, 2011 at 11:58 PM

Lovely image of this beautiful bird. We have a lot here on the Gulf Coast and the pinks in the feathers are perfectly toned here. I do think a little more room on the bottom would be good.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 24, 2011 at 12:12 AM

I've always thought Spoonbills were among the more improbable birds... Very nice; the head turn is particularly good. For anyone who knows how long Spoonbills' feet are, yes you need a bit more room at the bottom to avoid cutting off the virtual feet. I really like the reflections from the water onto the bird.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on March 24, 2011 at 7:42 AM

Would have loved to have seen his full reflection. the pink has always been so pretty on such a primeval looking bird.
You should have scolded him for not washing his neck! No telling what this child got into! Although, I suspect he is molting and not dirty at all.
I agree that he needs something to give him a little :pop:.

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 24, 2011 at 10:17 AM

thanks for the comments--I took another look and the brightest pixels were not very bright, so I extended the dynamic range and added a little contrast.

I have also added in the remaining room that I have at the bottom.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on March 24, 2011 at 10:35 AM

Really nice image Brian... nice light and detail, and I really like the head turn and eye contact you've captured. Your repost gives adds a little more pop on my screen and looks good.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on March 24, 2011 at 11:52 AM

Lovely image as presented Brian!! The eye contact and BG really makes this one for me!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on March 24, 2011 at 1:01 PM

Repost is much better!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 24, 2011 at 1:32 PM

Nice shot, and the re-post is even better!
Good colors, great head angle, nice eye, and the extra room on the bottom is a benefit.

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 24, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Brian, I like it the way you have it, but it never hurts to allow a little extra for those virtual legs. I think the backward turn giving us both the full back and a good 3/4 view on the face makes this stand out as a portrait of a rosie

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 24, 2011 at 11:15 PM

Love this as posted...more room on bottom would be nice...but still very well done. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on March 25, 2011 at 1:05 AM

Always admired these beautifully coloured birds, and you've done a terrific job with lighting it to the best effect, well done Brian and looking forward to seeing the other, hopefully with a spread of those wonderful wings ;^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 25, 2011 at 2:23 AM

A Beauty Brian

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 25, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Good pose and look from the spoonbill. I like the eye contact and seeing the big bill at that angle. Wonderful detail and that dark background really brings out the colors. I also like the second post better with more room on the bottom, excellent shot Brian, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 25, 2011 at 4:26 PM

Lovely pose, head-turn and bird. Good choice of aperature and very sharp too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 25, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Great shot Brian - head turn is perfect. Nort sure about the legs. Would probably prefer if room was there for them but if it's lots of oof water in the foreground then I think you've done the right thing.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on March 26, 2011 at 1:31 PM

Good re-post. I still crack up at the puzzled expression on his face, when looking at you

I'm glad you were able to find a little more reflection in the water. very well seen . re=post has much more clarity and really shows him off. Plus, the extra bit of light on his back helps give more depth. Good job

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 26, 2011 at 6:46 PM

Wow! What a strange looking bird, Brian. I too like the repost better. Also, I really enjoy the over-the-shoulder head turn and fine detail. Amazing what tiny eyes such a large bird has. I just learned that they feed mainly by touch by waving their bills back and forth in the water. So, I guess vision isn't as important to them as it is to other species.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 26, 2011 at 9:49 PM

Technically excellent, great quality Brian. I especially like the light here.
I think the comp's fine just the way it is..
Well done!

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 27, 2011 at 1:08 PM

Beautiful light, great pose, awesome detail and dof

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 27, 2011 at 4:31 PM

Awesome light and I like the repost a ton. Really superb IQ in this shot Brian. Love the look back by the bird and that great red eye. Very well done. Wish this was my shot.

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