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"Surprise" WC#481

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted May 6, 2011137 views9 comments

This shot was more than surprise. It was astounding. I had been photographing Cedar Wax Wings at the pond and was shooting birds on the bank. As most of you know these are flighty birds and are always flashing around in an instant. It was not until I downloaded my images to the computer that I noticed this image that had been tripped for a shot of them on the bank but the birds had flown straight at me. Since I did not even realize this was exposed like this they apparently had veered off to one side before hitting me. I am posting another shot that was an instant before this one to show the 3 birds on the ground.

Quality of this exposure speaks for itself as not good but it has always fascinated me.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 6, 2011 at 4:13 PM

Here is the shot a split second before the 3 in flight.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on May 6, 2011 at 7:38 PM

Charlie, so strange that you got them all three headed straight toward you. I think it's fascinating, too.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 6, 2011 at 8:13 PM

Barbara I should have mentioned that both of these are significantly cropped to less than 50% of original.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by David E Lester on May 6, 2011 at 11:15 PM

Neat image....kind of spooky...like they are hovering, staring at you, waiting for you to turn your back.....I like it !!

Dave

Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 7, 2011 at 1:45 PM

I've had Waxwings here all Spring in large numbers, they are just now moving on. Only a few straglers left.
So this has been a regular scene, as each large group would take flight at once after a drink.
Kinda neat to see, and the loud sound from their wings is great

TFS

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

Comment posted by David Thomas on May 7, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Surprised and pleased to see such an unusual view. It has an ominous feel, with the eye mask making me feel that they are intent on attacking.

A wonderful challenge, where the stories are as good as the images.

Registered on June 21, 2010, 30 Posts, 178 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 7, 2011 at 2:24 PM

The mask effect of this bird does give it more than a little "spookiness". I hope their headed this way Howard. We do not see them often. Maybe once a year for 1/2 hour or so. AND THEY NEVER SIT STILL.

Like fishermen, we photogs love our stories, huh?

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Varina Patel on May 7, 2011 at 6:28 PM

Very cool! You don't get something like this every day! I'd love to see this shot in black and white. The shot is about motion rather than color. Color can be a distracting element sometimes, and in this case I think converting to black and white would simplify the image. Its a fascinating study of motion... very dynamic.

Registered on August 22, 2008, 45 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on May 7, 2011 at 9:34 PM

Varina I have been playing with this in B&W and can't get it to look satisfying to me. The extreme bussiness of the surroundings seem to take on more prominance in B&W and compete with the blur that is the wings and most of the birds overall. I've tried blurring, cloning and airbrushing down the detail in the surroundings but so far I don't like it. I'll be fooling some more with this and may come up with something I'm willing to show. Your thoughts as to it being action and not color makes logical sense. Could it be a lack of B&W skill on my part?

Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments