Pukeko

Pukeko is the Maori name for the Purple Gallinule/Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio). Image caught this evening while out with my daughter. Sunset on the BG hills gave the nice uniform water colourand sunlight diffused through a cloud lit the bird.
Nikon D700
Nikon 500 VR + 1.4x
ISO 800 f5.6 1/800
3 small bubbles cleaned from water surface

I like the look-back pose, soft light and composition. I might remove the little pieces of vegetation near the legs.

Tony, I really like the details in the dark plumage. This looks like it might be related to an American Coot.

Beautiful image. Great lighting and I agree about the great detail in the dark feathers. I like the reflection as well.
TFS, Peter

Tony, liked the bird's pose a lot. Sweet BG. But I am undecided on the reflection. But since you will want to leave a lot of room for the virtual( long) legs and feet, clipping the reflection halfway would not look good too. A true dilemma.

For a moment I thought you were referring to the big, endangered brother of the purple swamphen! Lovely capture, the bit of graas helps old eyes to notice the water surface a bit better

Tony:

Lovely subtle colors in the plumage, soft pastels in the background, with a spark of color from the reds.

I have mixed feelings about the grass. I think on balance I would leave it, I think it adds a subtle anchor to the bird, but might try a version without and see which one works best for you.

Cheers

Randy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Callie de Wet

For a moment I thought you were referring to the big, endangered brother of the purple swamphen! Lovely capture, the bit of graas helps old eyes to notice the water surface a bit better

---

You're thinking of the Takahe, Callie. Even locals seem to confuse photos of the two. The Takahe looks like a Pook on steroids:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Randy Stout

I have mixed feelings about the grass. I think on balance I would leave it, I think it adds a subtle anchor to the bird, but might try a version without and see which one works best for you.
Randy

---

Thanks, Randy. I prefer it with the grass - if they had not been pointing angled in toward the bird I would probably have removed them.

The head sqaure to the back of the camera and the sufficient d-o-f make this one work.

Nice bird and BG color. Look back pose makes this one interesting.

I like the pose, soft light and colors, and the little plants. On an interesting note for me, the plant on the left, being lower than the others, makes me think it needs some CW rotation even though it doesn't. I moved that one up about an inch from its current position and it seemed to level it out for me.

Good feather detail Tony, and you captured the look back nicely. These guys have lovely colours when seen in bright sunshine. Comp works well too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tony Whitehead

You're thinking of the Takahe, Callie. Even locals seem to confuse photos of the two. The Takahe looks like a Pook on steroids:D

---

ThanksTony, I only remembered it was a Maori word. Have only seen two photos of it before, and amazing turkey of a swamphen.

I like this one a lot Tony, the clean and quite Bg with such a subtle color is really nice and the pose of the bird works for me. I would keep the grass and would CW rotate the image just a bit. Very creative image :)