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Thread: Skimmer Parent with Chick, Nickerson

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    Default Skimmer Parent with Chick, Nickerson

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Canon 1D4
    500mm
    Handheld

    ISO 640
    f/5.6
    1/2500 sec

    Taken at Nickerson the same evening I posted my last shot, of the Skimmer Landing. The light was started to get low and pinkish. I took my 1.4x off to gain some light. Was kneeling and handholding. This shows the chick looking expectantly waiting for the other parent to land with fish, which it did a few frames later (I may post that though I am not crazy about the composition). I like the other skimmer in the BG grasses, even though out of focus, as it gives a sense of the greater community/colony.
    One thing that struck me about the skimmer chick--my first time seeing one--was: how amazingly its color matches the color of the sand! Such a stunning example of camouflage.
    Crop, sharpening, whites recovery.
    Thanks for looking. All comments and critiques welcome and appreciated.
    Last edited by Melissa Groo; 09-15-2012 at 05:24 PM.

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    hi melissa
    Very beautiful and amazing.

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    First things first! Melissa, you are a strong woman! I have handhold the 500mm and is not light at all!

    You did great with this pic, I particularly like the light, bird stare and the lovely chick.

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    Light quality is excellent, details are sharp, Love how the grasses in front of the bird curve perfectly in front of the adult's bill without any awkward transections. I considered what the colonial nature of the species too in regards to the background bird, and I think it works well here. Well composed image with some great habitat included and natural history appeal.

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    Yes, Mother Nature is so smart when it comes to camo. I like the environment here and normally don't like the inclusion of the birds in the bg but I like how this one is kind of hiding or watching from behind the grasses.It adds to the story. It could also be the other parent coming back (to the viewer). I like the grasses near the chisk as well. My only wish would be to not have the grasses in the front right which would create the perfect scene but I wouldn't mess with them either .

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    Love the story this capture portrays. The environment really adds a lot in the right places and like the seeing the protector looming behind the grasses in the BG.
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    This is really nice Melissa, and yes the BG bird adds tons to the image. Awesome habitat, and the grass blades are positioned just perfectly near the subjects as to not merge on them.

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    Magnificent image.Love the pose of cute little one and it's curious look.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Lovely, Melissa. Habitat elements tie this one together.

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    BPN Member Bill Dix's Avatar
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    Nice family shot. The chick really is camouflaged, and I love their outsized bills. The oof bird in the back works for me. Well done, again.

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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    This is really good Melissa.
    I like how the grasses curve over the parent and chick.
    Gail

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    I like everything about this. Tells a story - I do like the bird in the BG as it does give a sense of community.

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    Lovely shot. Very nice light, excellent comp, love the habitat, and great interaction between adult and chick.
    Very well done.

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    Thank you kindly for all the comments.

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