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Balancing Act
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Balancing Act

by John Launstein

Gallery: AvianPosted February 16, 201490 views7 comments
Hi All! It's been a while (far too long) since I've been able to be active on the forums here, and I thought this picture might be a good way to return as it kind of represents why I've been absent as well! You ever get pulled in multiple directions and have to pull off a balancing act like this? :wink: Sadly, some heavy stuff on the work front combined with moving our family to a new home this past fall meant I've been feeling a little like this common Grackle lately!

Last year when NPN sponsored Jenaya to attend the NANPA High School Scholarship Program in Jacksonville, FL, I was floored to learn the dates coincided with a speaking engagement I had in Orlando, so we were able to take the trip together (even if most of our time in FL was separate). After dropping her off in Jacksonville I made my way back down the eastern coastline hunting seabirds and waders to point my lens at. I was pulling into a small parking area adjacent a beach when I spotted this guy clinging to the top of the fence just a short ways away while the ocean breezes whipped him back and forth. While he was cooperative enough for me to take some focus stacks (focusing on the fence in one and his eye on another), this is actually just a single shot, 90% of full-frame.

I'll do my best to stick around a bit better amidst all the other demands of life this season. :smile: Chances are pretty good you'll be seeing some additional images from Florida from both Jenaya and myself as we prepare for a repeat trip next week (and hopefully a few new favourites upon our return)! :biggrin:

Thanks for looking...if you have time for the larger version, I certainly like it better!

Field Notes:
Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 200-400 f/4 IF-ED VR @ 270mm
ISO 800
1/1600sec @ f/6.3
+0.3 EV to open shadows
shot from foam noodle on vehicle window

Processing Notes:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minor adjustments to tone and contrast using Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2 in PS5
Cropped slightly to improve comp in presentation

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 16, 2014 at 5:58 PM
Wonderful shot with the lines of the horizontal waves, and wire, and the verticals of the fence, and the placement of the bird Bird is exposed nicely and the balancing act makes for a great pose. Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 17, 2014 at 5:40 PM
Welcome back, John. The capture is great but the composition makes the shot for me. Well done.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 18, 2014 at 3:28 AM
I really like the comp on this one John. I only wish the bird gave you a touch more head turn...but still love it.
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by John Launstein on February 21, 2014 at 5:44 AM
Thank you, Sharon, Jim and Kurt! I was really amused by this grackle and had a blast photographing him. Could not believe he stuck around to let me try focus stacks! In the end for web display this worked about as well from just the single shot. Thanks again!
Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 21, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Love it John - great pose and setting
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Dottie Short on February 22, 2014 at 4:15 PM
This image could be used in a commercial, and the title could be, "Are you straddling the fence". Great images and very well done.
:toast:
Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 22, 2014 at 7:53 PM
Very impressive John, nice work! :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments