Breakfast

While chatting with some fellow photographers about the Wandering Tattler we had just shot. I saw something on the beach out of the corner of my eye. Without thinking I aimed and fired of a whole bunch of frames. I checked out what I had just captured and realized 40-50% of my screen was blinking at me...... Bugger!!! After recently reading Mr Morris' thread on the Pelican http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...read.php?75313
I figured the photos might be salvageable.

1D MKIV, 600mm IS 1.4x II
ISO 1600
1/800
f/9
Manual exposure

Here is the original

Nice salvage. I don't know this species so perhaps that coloration is accurate, but it seems like you might be able to push the contrast a bit.

Nice one of the Pied Cormorant smashing that Black Trevally (aka Happy Moments, for its spines are quite venomous). I think you could add some blacks back in as the black on the plumage still looks a little washed. Good thinking and done fast mate. :)

Recovery is nice, but even more TLC will make this shine. As mentioned more contrast and darker blacks, plus a re-comp featuring more room in front would all contribute to a stronger finished product.

What a gluttonous bird though!! Did it attempt to swallow that fish, did it succeed?

Wow, if that's breakfast, I can't imagine how big lunch and dinner are.
Very nice recovery. Agree that more contrast and recomp would improve this further.

thanks god photoshop!
really good imagee. i just dont think he is gonna be abla to swallow it :S

A good example of what can be recovered. Did you just shift the recovery slider or the exposure as well?

Alfredo, I think it is rather thank god for RAW. A jpeg would have had no chance of being saved here.

Thanks for all the responses guys:)

Daniel, this gluttonous bird had to head back into the water so it could manipulate the fish and yes he/she did manage to suck down the monster catch. It the proceeded to fly back out to sea. Surely not for more fish....

I'll try some of the suggestions in regards to contrast. Also I was totally unsure how to frame this image. Will try with a bit more space on the left.

Thanks

Chris

munch munch

Thanks Chris for the additional info on what you observed...that is quite the feat swallowing that fish, WOW!