Roseate Spoonbill/3 reposts

Gallery: AvianPosted January 21, 2012234 views14 comments

Canon EOS 7D
EF400mm f/5.6L USM
1/15/2012 – 4:04:36 PM
1/1250 sec
Manual
f/11
ISO 400
Handheld
Merritt Island NWR
Raw, LR3, CS5, 67% of FF

This is like a documentary shot rather than an artistic shot, but I was very happy this bird came close enough while feeding and separated from the others enough that I got get a shot of it. The birds are not in trees, just in the middle of a big area of sand and water. They mostly stand in a big group and walk around feeding in a big group. It was 4 p.m., but it still looks like a lot of sun.

Comments, opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 21, 2012 at 9:58 AM

Very nice capture, Barbara. Great detail, beautiful colors (perhaps a bit too saturated than I would have expected).
I would love to have the opportunity to shoot these beautiful birds in Florida !!!
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 21, 2012 at 10:02 AM

Mauro, thank you. I didn't change the saturation, but here's a desaturated repost.

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

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on January 21, 2012 at 10:08 AM

Wonderful shot!
That eye really draws me in, great colors and nice detail!
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 21, 2012 at 10:34 AM

Excellent sharpness/detail, especially visible in the larger version. The colors in the original post are rich and pleasing. As you note the light is still on the contrasty side and makes the shadows a little harsh, but when viewed in the large version they are acceptable.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 21, 2012 at 11:06 AM

I enjoy the untidy feathers along the back and the feeding behavior. Detail and sharpness look great.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 21, 2012 at 11:41 AM

Thank you for the comments, Jaymes, Richard and Ron.

Can you tell I'm still struggling with this? Here's another repost desaturated but only a little, so in between the first two. Maybe some people will like this one the best?

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 21, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Nice job getting this guy nice and sharp. The water color is amazing but i too feel maybe a little less saturation would be better .I prefer your last post.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 21, 2012 at 1:21 PM

Very interesting species, well 'documented'

, have a good weekend, Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on January 21, 2012 at 2:49 PM

Lovely Spoonbill image, Barbara. I like the middle repost. Everything else is spot on. Dealing with bright sun and water reflection is tough, but it looks like you handled it well.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on January 21, 2012 at 3:08 PM

Nice capture I really like the rough looking water and plumage.

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 21, 2012 at 9:49 PM

Barbara, I like the pose and ruffled plumage. I do think a lower angle would definitely help. in terms of color, I think that the colors of the bird look fine in the original, so I would consider selectively desaturating the blue channel and leaving everything else alone.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 21, 2012 at 10:33 PM

Hi Barbara

I enjoy the natural pose, with the ruffled feathers. the vibrant colors are amazing, i prefer the last version

Albert Darmo

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 22, 2012 at 7:46 AM

Brian, thank you for the suggestion of desaturating just the blue. Here is a repost with that done, and I think I'm comfortable with this one.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 22, 2012 at 6:51 PM

Barbara you nailed the post processing in the last image you posted. Looks very artistic to me. Great exposure. Very well done. You are really improving. Keep up the good work.

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