First Post.....

[Gordon Radford]

Hello BPN community. This was captured last week near New Iberia, La. at Rip Van Winkle Gardens.
Canon 5d mk III, 300 2.8 II with EF 2xIII. ISO 1600 F8 1/250 second. I've several images from the afternoon located here: http://gordophoto.photoshelter.com/g...002j4ftpczRlw/
I've never done any "birding" in the past so it is something I look forward to learning from this community.....

[IMG][/IMG]

[Diane Miller]

Hi Gordon, and welcome to BPN. Go over to the Introductions forum and tell us a little about yourself! You've found a great place to learn and share.

I've been to this place -- a neat garden. Were there any roseate spoonbills in the pond by the entrance? There were a lot the first time I was there, maybe 3 years ago, and none at all last year. I tried to shoot the peacocks there, but they were in a crabby mood that day and you got better ones than any of mine. The others on your web site are wonderful, too!

I like how you got down to eye level with them. The crop feels a bit close on the top and right on this one -- do you have a little more room there?

The much larger Jungle Gardens down at the Tabasco factory on Avery Island are also worth a visit.

[Gordon Radford]

Hello...It was too early in the year for the Roseate Spoonbills.....They will not be in for a couple more weeks. Same with Avery Island. As to the crop, the original shot was landscape, and the eye was about center of the image....Just nothing to the right...So I cropped square to keep an interesting background. (or so I thought)...Here you will see the "normal cropped version"....Which do you prefer? http://gordophoto.photoshelter.com/g...000S24CfqiUbaA

[Randall Farhy]

Hi Gordon, welcome to BPN- simply put, this image is stunning. as to the crop-much prefer your landscape version. Even though the remainder is oof, the overall impact is stronger as the neck provides a wonderful leading line. Looking forward to seeing more of your work, and hopefully learning a thing or two along the way!

[David Kenny]

I like detail of the feathers on the head they are very sharp. The composition works for me. I do prefer the landscape version. I felt that the original post was too tight and didn't give enough room. It also seems like with the image on the website the colors are less saturated and more natural.

- Dave

[Iain Barker]

Welcome Gordon. I really like the way you have got the tail as a background to the head. I think that works well. The exposure looks good and there seem to be plenty of detail.

Looking forward to seeing more of your images.
Iain