Spring is the best time to photograph these guys as they they are establishing territories and vying for mates. Got this one right after it sounded it's signature "konk-la-ree" call and its wings and tail still in mid-display. The head angle was much better here than during the call (facing away), so this was my preferred choice.
Face was lightened in PS (hard to believe?) and brightening it more is really pushing the acceptable noise limits on the full size version (can anybody say fill-flash!!). Epaulettes' reds desaturated 5% using sponge tool. Thought of eliminating the cattail stalk at left, but opted to leave it.
Canon 40D + 100-400L @400mm, 1/200s., f/7.1, ISO 500, no EC, handheld.
I like it Daniel! Enough detail in the blacks, although as you pointed out, a little fill-flash would have been nice. I'm not bothered by the cattail on the left. I might however blur the ones on the far right of the frame.
Nice Daniel. You've captured the bird and the behaviour very well. Although I tend to be a reluctant cloner in this case I think I would have removed the two bright cattails in the bottom right corner.
Daniel, excelllent shot, the wing positio shows of the bird nicley. The only nit is the head is not as sharp as the wing, but if you use selective sharpening you can bring that up.
Love the behavior here and the head angle works well. The processing turned out nicely. I'd have left the reeds in the photo as well in this case. Could be my monitor but I almost want the photo to be a tad bit lighter. Well done.
RWB topside view.
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