American Coot

Gallery: AvianPosted March 5, 20171,471 views6 comments

American Coot (Fulica americana)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: March 3, 2017, 2:04 pm
Equipment: Nikon D7200, AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR @ 200mm, G1325, RRS BH-55
Exposure: ISO 800, aperture priority matrix meter 1/800^th @ f/11
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, full frame

Not an exciting subject, I know, but interesting in its own way. I couldn’t get out until afternoon – at least that meant the Water Ranch wasn't swarmed with photographers as it has become in the morning. I simply sat in the open behind my collapsed tripod at the edge of the water, and the coots came so close that I had to back off the zoom to its minimum 200mm.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger version provided.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 5, 2017 at 3:06 PM

I think the new lens is going to do well for you! Perfect exposure and good detail. Personally, I like shooting Coots. They can be a challenge and even fun just to watch. devil

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 5, 2017 at 4:49 PM

Excellent detail, the raised foot and bit of food in the beak add interest. devil

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on March 5, 2017 at 7:14 PM

Nice pose and composition. Good job on the detail in the blacks. You even got a little motion artifact as the coot was raising its foot. Always a challenge to get a good exposure on these ducks.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 5, 2017 at 8:31 PM

Very nice Richard. You handled a tough exposure really well?. Superb detail in the coot. The revised foot adds to the image too.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 5, 2017 at 10:48 PM

This is wonderful. The larger image shows perfect sharpness and detail, and I love the raised foot. I also really like the tiny pieces of grass in the water around the bird.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 6, 2017 at 11:59 PM

I love the raised leg showing the immense, completely outsized feet on these guys. Your usual impeccable techs.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments