Sandhill crane calling

[Grace Scalzo]

From my spring trip to Florida. Thank goodness for clouds as this was taken early afternoon. The crane was responding to other cranes that were calling in the distance.

Canon 5Dmk2, 500f4 + 1.4tc
1/320, f8, ISO400

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the soft light, calling pose, sharpness and BG and might take the midtones down a little.

[Grace Scalzo]

Thanks for the suggestion, Axel, curves adjustment the best way?

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Thanks for the suggestion, Axel, curves adjustment the best way?

That or just the midtone slider in levels.

[Fabs Forns]

Good suggestion by Axel. Great calling pose. Was this outside of BK where they hang out for fries handovers? :D
Nice comp, I posted something for you, a few threads over this one :)

[John Ippolito]

I like the pose, BG, open beak and details here. Another vote for a bit of curves/contrast adjustment to take this up a notch.

[Lana Hays]

Grace
I love it when it's so close that you can see through the nasal opening!!! I would have never thought about toning down the midtones.....but upon suggestion by Axel.....I think it would be a good move. Well done.

[DustinFinn]

Simply awesome - love that open beak and of course awesome frame filling bird goodness...

[Joe Senzatimore]

Given an opportunity , you took full advantage. Love the portrait feel of this image.

[Grace Scalzo]

As per Axel's suggestion....I think that this subtle change made a huge improvement. Thanks, Axel...this is why you are indeed a "super" moderator. (I made this change on the jpeg which introduced some graininess, will rework the Tiff someday.) Fabs, this was on the way to Gatorland in an industrial complex. No french fries involved. Jim and I were on our way to Robert A's workshop, spotted this pair and their colt, overcast conditions, so never made it to the workshop. Robert was very gracious about it, understood, and gave us his handouts from the seminar.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The repost made this even stronger.