Virginia Rail

The light had faded, but we stubbornly waited for a Sora to appear in a small marshy area in Cape May. I noticed some movement to my left, and immediately saw that it was a Virginia Rail, not a Sora. I grabbed just two frames before he (she?) darted back into the reeds. It's the first image I've ever gotten of a Virginia Rail, and I don't recall seeing any of this species posted here. We went back the next day in better light but the Rail didn't reappear, although we did see three Soras.

D500, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 2000, 1/800s @ f/7.1 manual; fill @ -2.3. Gitzo and Mongoose.

Well done on capturing this bird, if they are anything like our Water Rails, they are so elusive. You did well to get the details. i like the pose and the 'natural' feel surrounding the image. The raised leg adds.

Will

Congratulations on the lifer. Excellent capture, Bill under the low light conditions, and the few seconds you had. I didn't see him this much in the clear. Like the stance, raised foot and detail.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

A difficult bird to find and photograph, you did well. Nice image of the bird in the habitat they like. Sharp image, good colors... thank you for sharing, Bill.

Nice find and good flashwork.
Rail looks great with lots of detail. Well portrayed in its environment.
If this was mine I would remove the whitish OOF prominent grass behind the tail. Small detail but I would also clone out specular highlights on the toes from the flash.
I really like the curved grass in front of the rail.
Good one Bill.

I like the environment and the raised foot as well. I agree a couple highlights could go. I like the eye and the great catchlight. I've never seen this bird before so also very cool. TFS

Thank you all. I thought the curved grass on the right might be helping to frame the subject, but you're right, it's better without it. I also took out some flash highlights on the toes, and a few in the water. Thanks for the suggestions.

This looks great!
Gail