Senegal Thick knee

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canoe, tripod Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS. ISO 400 -0.3 1/2000 sec f7.1
Another shot from Marakissa river, the Gambia, all comments welcome.

[Marina Scarr]

I really really like this image, Jonathan. The colors in the BG are splendid. Love that way the bird looks as though he's under a gazebo. Well seen and executed. It's really unique, and that's always good.

[Dennis Zaebst]

I agree this is a terrific capture and composition. The colors and lighting are superb. It's nearly perfect as is, but if it were mine, I would crop a little more loosely at the bottom to add space for the (virtual) feet.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I really like the image overall, especially for the canopy of branches above. I do wish the vegetation at bottom was not there, or at least not projecting up so high. I also would have liked a better HA for two reasons: 1) the subject is currently looking away and 2) the light coming from the right would have splashed the face and a more pleasing way. Still a nice scene with a beautiful BG and great colours.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jon, well framed between the two small shrubs, and well separated from the distant BG. These guys always amaze me with their large eyes.

[arash_hazeghi]

I really like the composition here! looks like he is standing under an arch. I'm ok with foreground vegetation but I do wish you had a better HA as Dan suggested too.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Wonderful image! I absolutely think that the "arch" makes this image. I only wish that the vegetation covering the feet were gone, but I wouldn't give up the shot because of it. The HA is just a tad bit away, do you have any others from this sequence?

[Bill Dix]

Wonderful image. The light and colors are terrific, and the "gazebo" makes it special. Ditto Daniel's comments re. the HA, but still a compelling image.

[dankearl]

Very cool, it looks like something out of a Sci-fi movie.
I too, really like the comp.

[Geir Jensen]

I like very much the comp. HA is ok for me .
Well done .

[Morkel Erasmus]

I like this a lot for the reasons mentioned - the framing, the tones/hues in the BG and the overall composition.

[Raymond Lee]

I really like the composition of this shot! The HA could be a little better, but nonetheless, it's a great image!

[Karl Egressy]

The trees on either side frame this very interesting bird beautifully. Nice image overall. A little more head turn toward us and it would be over the top.

[Satish Ranadive]

Jonathan:
Absolutely superb image.Agree with Miguel, that wonderful "arch" make this image.Excellent IQ.
Love the bird with nice colors,details,lights and great BG.

Regards,
Satish.

[Shawn Zierman]

The natural framing of the subject is beautiful.
The foreground vegetation does not bother me a bit.
The head angle could have been better for the exact reasons Daniel suggested.

[David Salem]

Very nice. The pros have been mentioned and the cons are very minimal. Great job.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks very much everyone, glad you liked it. As soon as i saw this scene before me I thought BPN!!.. and then I though just turn your head, I kept willing him to do it but he would not. Still I know that I did not disturb him in any way, he just did not change his stance at all so I still got my reward. There were quite a few Thick knees about and they were so nonchalant about the canoe I could almost reach out and touch them - just amazing!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

This is really nice Johnathan. I love how the bird is in the middle of what almost sems like an archway. Great environment, detail and bgtoo

[PhilCook]

I like the head angle as is to be honest, and have to love the composition under the arched plants. I'm not overly fussed about the hidden feet, but at the same time I think with them showing would of been a tad nicer, but what can ya do sometimes....great shot !