Un-natural Mistake

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted February 13, 2012578 views6 comments

I very recently posted a darker version of this image in the Avian Gallery. My friends there identified the bird (a young Yellow Crowned Night Heron) and, in addition to suggesting lightening the image, also pointed out that the improved image might be suitable for this gallery.

I've never previously posted here. I find this image to be quite startling. It took me a few seconds looking through the viewfinder to realize what this little bird had found.

All comments welcome.

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1250, 1/1000s, f/8, +1/3 EV, 9.4 MP (59% of 16 MP full frame), NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening; one branch cloned out.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 14, 2012 at 12:08 AM

Steve, excellent shot of this YCNH's un-natural mistake. I prefer this lighter version. Love the low POV.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 14, 2012 at 12:44 AM

A strong image for this Gallery..
This re-worked version is much improved -
Very nice - but sad - image.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Hank Pennington on February 21, 2012 at 12:11 AM

I agree! In the thumbnail I had assumed it was a gull, but somehow it's much more striking now that I learn it's not. Like most viewers I expect to see gulls packing all kinds of rubbish. I know it's not right, but I'm inured like everyone else. The impact is much greater simply because it's not a gull. The fact that it's a more "interesting" bird I think will hold viewers a lot longer and really help make the point.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 226 Posts, 1532 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 22, 2012 at 10:43 AM

Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on February 22, 2012 at 12:38 PM

Congratulations, Steve.

Good job.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 26, 2012 at 10:41 PM

Thank you for your comments everyone. Hank, I found yours particularly interesting. It made me realize that the type of bird really does make a difference here!! If this had been a gull I would not even have posted the image. I think the essential reason is that I would expect that the gull would recognize the can for what it was and would be hoping to find food in it. It would not be a mistake.

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