Can Spring Be Far Away?

[Arthur Morris]

Jeez, I have been so busy here working on various projects (most recently today's Bulletin and the update of the MIV User's Guide) that I can't the last time I got out to photograph so I came up with an oldie from last spring that I never posted.

Though this looks like a studio portrait this is a free and wild Sandhill Crane chick. It was photographed down by the lake near my home with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens, the 1.4X II TC, and the EOS-1D MIV on a BLUBB from my Sequoia. ISO 800. Evaluative metering +1 stop: 1/320 sec. at f/9.

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

[Joel Eade]

Cute little fella! Well executed of course....is that your truck and some palm trees backlit by the sun showing in the catchlight? Cool.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Joel. It is likely that I could see the truck in the eye on the TIFF but no way in heck I can even imagine it here :)

[Bhushan Dalvi]

Beautiful shot. Love the details and the colors. But the reflection in the eye is what I like the most.

[Daniel Cadieux]

With winter knocking on the door I wish it was close to spring (although I'm looking forward to winter finches:cool:!!) Too cute, and the eye is oh-so clear! I'd bet he's softer than a stuffed toy:p I imagine you would have liked to have completely included the far wing tip.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Very cute!...and well composed of course.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all so far :) And yes Dan, assuming you mean that I was a bit too close to the bend of the wing :)

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Super cute! Love that eye, the colors and how squeaky clean this image is.
Cannot tell what those two brown/grey dots along the neck of the bird are. I'd probably remove them.

[Bonnie Block]

It is indeed a super image, Artie--and super cute to boot. Sure looks like palm trees to me. :D
Winter has struck here with a vengeance today. 40mph winds and rain--snowing hard in the mountains.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the clarity in the eye in this cute portrait. Well done!

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful portrait, Artie. I love the soft light here. The bg really makes this standout.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Very nice work Artie, crisp, clean and razor sharp with a super BG. Congrats. :)

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all. Indranil, the BKGR was a big sand pit....

[denise ippolito]

Artie, Cute as a button. Sharp and well exposed as usual. I hope to get another chance at these guys soon.:)

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks. Me too. March and April are prime time here for the chicks. Last year the birds had a great breeding season.

[Myer Bornstein]

This is an excellent portrait, as always up to your standards. I love looking at your work

[Stu Bowie]

Tack sharp Artie, and I like the pose. Enough space around the head, and your vertical comp works well.

[Lorant Voros]

As always, very nice work from you, Artie. Even the thumbnail is attractive. Adding to the other comments I love the eye here. I bet you see the reflection of the area in it if you zoom into the original. I very much like the BG as well that brings out the color of the chick. Hats off.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks all for you kind comments. And you can see my Sequoia reflected in the eye for sure.