Bush-Stone Curlew

Home again. I'm gradually sorting (and mostly deleting) images of the past weeks. My time away has taught me many things about my photography journey. The number one lesson; I managed to get myself into a very comfortable place, shooting parrots on a perch. I knew the time of day they would arrive. How the light would illuminate them or the BG. They had become familiar with me, and I with them.

We went camping to one of the islands off Brisbane. Three weeks and only three days of kind weather. I thought I would manage a few keepers; birds and landscapes. Unfortunately, this was not to be. My comfort zone gone, I struggled with the light and quick moving birds. We endured a "severe weather event" that bought torrential rain and blasting winds. I found the strong winds the most problematic. This unusual winter weather continued it's way right down the east coast to Tasmania causing damage and massive flooding. We awoke one night to find the storm surge had bought the high tide right into our little tent...and the 4WD standing in salt water.

Did I have fun? You bet!

This is an image of one bird that was kind enough to stay still. I guess with a name like stone curlew, you would expect him to stand like a statue. I decided to leave the little feathers on his beak.

In ACR - decreased exposure a tiny bit. Highlights to the left and shadows to the right.
In PSCS6 - Cloned out destracting post. Seperate curves adjustments layers on BG and bird. Another one on his eye. Desaturated the green grass.

Canon 5D2
Sigma 150-600mm @ 195mm
f8
1/640 sec
ISO 640
Hand held

C&C ALways wecomed and appreciated!

Hey Glennie,learning this is a game of leaps forwards and backwards I guess,sorry the weather wasn't a bit more generous for your hols,but cool you still had a blast.
We have a version of Stone curlew here very rare,such unusual looking birds,your is equally unusual. I really like subject against the dark BG and the upwards quizzical look. It's a bit of a strange pose Glennie we get what we are given but in this case it works for me as these birds(although I wasn't aware of yours before now) do look strange to me so it sort of feels like you have captured some of that in your picture. Love that eye and how the light catches it.

I'd probably have pushed iso a bit more mate for the shutter,but you have done really well at the slower shutter used so well done . I like your crop/framing
Cool little fella Glennie, thanks so much for sharing

take care

Stu

Welcome home, Glennie!!! We've missed you. This is a lovely lovely portrait of this bird. Subject and BG are very well shot. Exposure is good as well. The lit side of the bird is also the side on which we see most of the face, in other words the head turn works really well for me. I love seeing the cornea and the pupil here. If it were mine, I would give a little more room on top, but that's not a big deal at all.

I am sorry that the weather had not been better, but hey bad weather is heaven for photographers. That really reminded me of a camping trip in Yellowstone a few years back. We were drenched, but heck I had some really good drama in my pictures. In any case, I am sure it's been a great learning experience for you. I can't wait to see more from your trip!! Welcome back again!

Be careful what you wish for Adhika! I have a gazillion images, not one, IMO, cracking, to share and hopefully get some feed back.

We would love to see nonetheless, Glennie. Before seeing your pictures, I thought everything in Australia will kill you in one instant, but your rainbow lorikeet told me that I have not seen Australia. :bg3:

Welcome back Glennie!! Sounds like a typical vacation in my family... But you got a really cool shot here! Love the lighting and pose. I'd suggest cloning out the darker OOF thing in the LR -- other than that, fantastic!!

Love the light and detail.