Wood Stork + Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted April 3, 2012298 views15 comments

Canon EOS 7D
EF400mm f/5.6L USM
3/30/2012 – 5:13:46 PM
1/1250 sec
Manual
f/5.6
ISO 400
Handheld
Rookery at St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Raw, LR3, CS5, 50% of FF

I have other images of wood storks that are full frame, both against vegetation and blue sky, but I like this one better even at 50% of FF. I like the way it shows the body and the way it shows the wing size.

I'm not sure whether wings need to be all sharp or all blurred, though.

Also, the body of the bird is centered, though the entirety of the bird is not and the head is not, but leaving more of the background in to avoid that seemed to lessen the IQ for this image for me.

Comments, opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM

Barbara, this location may have challenged you at first, but I think that was a very good thing--for me this entire series you've been posting (though I haven't found time to comment on everything) represents some really nice work. I think that this is super--a great pose, nice nesting material, and good habitat. The wings are fine for me. I am fine with the comp as presented. I wouldn't mind a little more room at bottom and left, but like I say either way is good. I think that this one shows the crop a little, but not a lot. I think this is a really cool looking species--often overlooked among FLs other great birds.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 3, 2012 at 10:50 AM

WOW! I am very impressed by this photo as well with your recent posting. Great body of work! Thanks for sharing. I am envious!

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 3, 2012 at 11:16 AM

Great exposure/light Barbara, excellent details and environment.
I especially like the timing and the comp works fine - It tells a story..
Very nice!

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 3, 2012 at 2:49 PM

I think you nailed this one, Barbara. The dof and sharpness of the bird are fine and I like the crop you chose. Everything that needs to be there is with no extraneous elements.

Well done.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Walt Sterneman on April 3, 2012 at 3:17 PM

I really like this one Barbara. I think the wings are fine either way, as a little blur shows motion and sharp wings are interesting for the feather detail. I have always thought these birds interesting looking and this position you've captured is even more interesting. Nice shot.

Registered on March 24, 2010, 73 Posts, 1268 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 3, 2012 at 4:39 PM

Great action photo Barbara, especially in such heavy looking habitat. Excellent details and wing position, nothing wrong with the slight motion evident in the wings. NIce Work!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 3, 2012 at 5:32 PM

I like this as-is. Personally, I would not change anything, although on my monitor I'd lighten it up just a tad.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 3, 2012 at 5:32 PM

My wife and I will be down there on the 17th. It will be interesting to see what is going on then. Good work on this landing shot, Barbara. Great detail, and I really like how clearly this tells a story. All nature photos should do so well.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on April 3, 2012 at 5:44 PM

Centered, uncentered... this just WORKS and I like it. Very nicely captured Barbara.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on April 3, 2012 at 6:28 PM

OK Barbara, from now on you help me improve. Another winner in my book. I like the comp just as is; it provides more detail of the Stork and still allows the environment to show. The nesting material in the beak is a plus also. Love it.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 3, 2012 at 9:49 PM

Terrific image Barbara. I love the flight pose and I think there is good detail, especially in the LP. The material in the beak certainly tells a story. Very nicely captured!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 4, 2012 at 12:15 PM

Very nice job in getting this difficult shot, the wing blur is fine with me and I really like the landing pose. The larger image really shows the different features of the stork and the whites have detail, wonderful timing to get this, well done.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 4, 2012 at 9:38 PM

Great action and comp Barbara, a touch dark on my monitor.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 4, 2012 at 10:32 PM

Thank you for the comments! Here's a lighter repost.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on April 6, 2012 at 7:46 AM

Excellent shot, love the habitat. I do like the repost a bit better. Nice details, nice work.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments