Yes I'm a photographer -

of sorts anyway.

I've been kinda busy with some of the recent changes(and cool stuff coming up)to BPN.
But I needed to scratch my photographic itch and made time(it's 3:20 AM EST) to post this image.

I hope the levels look OK, I edited this on a laptop.

Female Anhinga
Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida

Nikon D700
Sigma 300-800 @ 800mm
ISO 800 SS 1/640 @ F8
Gitzo 1500 with Mongoose 3.5a
SB-800 @ -1 for catch-light and a little "pop"
Overcast sky, manually exposed at 1 stop over the metered value.
Tiny, tiny crop off of the right of the frame to eliminate a distracting feather.

I used the reflection of a nearby building to add color to the water on an otherwise gray day.

Great to see, James. Lovely colour palette, sharpness and textures.

Great to see you photographing James! I like the composition, sharpness and colours.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

Great shot James! Love the sharpness and composition. The BG and HA aren't too bad either! Thanks for showing

Very nice, James!

Could you explain a bit more about the water reflection?

Thanks,
Colin

I like the composition, light and sharpness. There are some smudges on the left side, maybe clone marks?

James, Beautiful lighting and pose. Nice to see you post:)

Nice background colors, pose and use of the light angle. I would add tad more contrast to the neck area (maybe).

BG works perfectly with the bird !
Lou

Love the composition you've chosen for this anhinga. It really works as does the BG. I find it spot on in every way. IT's nice to see you posting.

James...nice to see you posting again. Loved the composition...but I think I'll like it even more with a tad more space on the right. Feather details make this one special.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by clknight

Very nice, James!

Could you explain a bit more about the water reflection?

Thanks,
Colin

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Sure Colin,
I noticed the golden water, the color was a caused by the reflection from a nearby office building.
Because it was overcast the light angle was not as critical as usual, allowing me to position myself for the best angle to capture the water as the background.

Thanks

Axel,
No cloning - not sure I can the smudge.
Thanks for the comments.

Lovely light on this darter, as we call them . . .the exposure around the eye/neck is really special as it just pulls the eye and keep it there. Love the BG contrast.

James;

My favorite aspect is the play of texture and tone along the neck. Wonderful leading line to the head.

Cheers

Randy

Hi James, I like the composition. The head placement is ideal in my opinion. The details are very nice and I love the color of the background. Well seen and captured.

I never knew that you created images. I thought that you were just a pontoon boat captain....

Killer COMP and BKGR make this one jump. And the sweet, sweet light. Is Morton the name of the phoshpate pits place?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

I never knew that you created images. I thought that you were just a pontoon boat captain....

Killer COMP and BKGR make this one jump. And the sweet, sweet light. Is Morton the name of the phoshpate pits place?

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No Sir,
Lake Morton is smack dab downtown Lakeland.

It is an amazing place, migrant ducks, White Pelicans and all the usual suspects, all being legally fed!!
Most folks bring bread, the Lakeland park department recommends "Duck Chow" or dog food, something with nutritional value.

Thanks for the comments.

YAW. It sounds as if you do not need a boat there? Have you sailed it?

You only need to park on the street, then you can walk around the entire lake(pond?). It's only 40 acres!
Time of day is not much of a factor due that fact.
Center of Lake Morton: 28.0384°N 81.9529°W

Thanks for the info, Froggie. So no boat needed, correct?

Correct, boats and fishing are not allowed.

Thank you. Denise. Ooops. I mean artie. :)

Lovely bird, BG, composition, but the best is that sweet light! Congrats James, love this one!

love the graceful lines throughout the comp James.. wonderful details and gorgeous light!

I remember that place James. Excellent job with details and background. A+

Very beautiful, everything is checked for and perfect. Congrats, details and light are excellent :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

Thank you. Denise. Ooops. I mean artie. :)

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:eek::(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by denise ippolito

:eek::(

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What happened to "eek::(" ???

Hey James.....Sweet! Glad to see you using the Sigmonster! Tripod.....I'lll have to post one soon from me hand holding it a Bosque:eek:.......that'll get em talking!:D

Love the color, details and the unusual comp. Very, very nice!

Excelent image James, the texture of the feathers in the neck are just fantastic with those hair like feathers. Composition is nailed in my opinion, nice soft light and good eye contact. You did a very good job looking for a good angle to have such a nice BG. It is great to see you posting again :)