Can Spring Be Far Away?

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.

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

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 :)

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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