Virginia Rail

[Tim King]

Took this a few years back. Was a hot spot for these birds
but now a hotbed of duplexes.

30D - 300mm f4 L IS
ISO 400 - f4 - 1/400 - manual focus.
Song playback used.
It was in a small clearing in the thick grass.


Best.

[John Chardine]

Hi Tim- I have a soft-spot for Virginia Rails. This image is very nicely executed. This is how you usually see VIRAs and so it works, for me at least. It was important to get the eye unobstructed and you did that. I might slightly lighten the area around the eye but other than that, print it and put it on your wall!

[hennieloots]

Hi Tim - I learned from this image and the comment above. I would have been tempted not to use or even take this short due to the fg, but it actually works and I like it. The colors work well and the unobstructed eye pulls the focus.
TFS
Hennie

[Daniel Cadieux]

Very nice, and the flame-like grasses work for me too (perhaps tone down the one near the chin and the other behind the eye) especially because you got the eye nice and clear. I love the way the body disappears into the grass. Well executed!

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Hey Tim,

I've only got one image of these guys in my files, and it was in heavy brush. I think you nailed the image, showing the rail in it's habitat but still managing to get the complete eye. Just an awesome shot!

Miguel

[Josh Gahagan]

This is a unique capture, and I like it a lot. The surrounding green vegetation looks lovely. The open bill adds a lot to the image.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice picture showing the way we would find them most of the time.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the display of habitat very much, it works because the eye is not blocked, agree with toning down the whites in the chin

great work, TFS

[Melissa Groo]

Great job, Tim, these guys sure are tough to get a good portrait of. I love the sense of habitat coupled with the clear view of that eye. Super work.