Brown Pelican

[Miguel Palaviccini]

On my last day at Little Estero Lagoon (Ft. Myers Beach, FL), I decided to make it an early trip. The other 3 days, I had timed it with the low tide near sunset, but this time I wanted to get the Pelicans flying over the ocean. That meant I needed the light from the East, and hence the morning shoot. I found a spot behind the Lagoon where the Pelicans came in to perch on stumps of wood (the kind that you would dock your boat at). Well, I got a couple of them coming in to land and this was one of my best. This is a slight crop with the perch removed. IMO, a little faster of a shutter speed would have been nice to keep the wingtips a bit sharper.

Shooting Info
Nikon D800 | 500 f/4 VR | 1.4x
700mm | 1/1000" | f/5.6 | ISO 800

Comments, critiques, and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

[Tim King]

Nicely done, Miguel. I like the lighting and the wing position.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm Ok with the movement in the wingtips...always depends what you prefer. Some like a bit of movement, some prefer fully frozen...I like both. Good comp, and the side-lighting works well.

[Randy Stout]

Miguel:

Interesting side lighting here, and it does highlight the modest wing blur on his left wing. I like the stretched out feet.
Nice framing of the subject.

Cheers'

Randy

[John Cooper]

I like the lighting and exposure here Miguel and the flight pose with out-stretched wings adds loads of imapct - well captured!

[Robert Holguin]

Terrific shot!!
Love the landing pose, great stretched out wings and great feet position.
I really like the side lighting and nice details.
Well done.

[Bill Dix]

Great landing pose, and nice morning light. I don't mind a bit of movement in the wingtips. My first reaction was that it needed to be just a tad darker, or a touch of black in the neutrals. But it looks pretty nice just as posted. Looks like you had a good time at Little Estero.