Spoonbill in Mid-step

[Gayle Clement]

Spoonbills and egrets are at eye level at the High Island, Texas rookery. There are so many birds there that it's difficult to photograph one without including several others. I watched this branch waiting for birds to land. He's a bit too centered but there was no room in either direction.




Nikon D2Xs
Nikkor 500mm f./4
Nikkor 1.4 TC-EII
Full frame except for small crop on right to remove part of an egret.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool pose and BG. Maybe a tad more sharpening and maybe a bit more space. I might brighten the shadow on the bird's left wing.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Really love the action in this image Gayle and the beautiful eye contact. IMO this could also work well as a vertical if you have the canvas but very striking as presented. Nice work Gayle.

[Phil Seu]

great colors Gayle. agree that composition could be better. either add canvas or consider vertical crop

Phil Seu

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hi Gayle,
As always....I'm in the minority on the crop :D as i like it......do agree with Axel on the shadow area...but overall a very nice image.

[DanWalters]

Love the pose and the colors. Maybe just a bit more space on the right.

[Philip Pietri]

Beautiful color and pose. I would recommend removing the dust spot over the perch on the left.

[Dave Phillips]

a sweet image Gayle....the pink and green are a super combo.
Cropping: probably a lot of good combos on this one depending on available canvas...could use just a bit more space IMO.

I am notorious for cropping too tight, but am getting away from it somewhat

[Freddy Franzella]

A really cool image! love that foot in the air! well done Gayle!

[Gayle Clement]

Thanks for the comments. I may do that crop! Philip, thanks for pointing out the dust spot. I'd missed it!