The Black Crake and the Ant

[gail bisson]

My title sounds like a nursery rhyme!
Okavengo Delta, Botswana.
Shot from boat.
Canon 1DX
600mm II and 1.4x
ISO 1600 F 5.6
SS 1/320
It was quite dark when I took this image. I didn't want to have an ISO of 3200 with a black bird as I was worried about the noise so I took a chance and prayed that one of the frames from this burst was sharp.
I got lucky when he momentarily stopped moving before grabbing the ant.
These birds are real skulkers so it was a real treat to get one out in the open.
PP. Crop to 60% FF, cleaned up a lot of debris in the BG, NR to BG, levels, DE to crake and ant, USM to Jpeg
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[Karl Egressy]

The picture is excellent, Gail. I like the pose, low shooting angle and the colors. Composition is perfect. Wow, I just discovered the Ant a the leaf. Such a great action shot!!!

[keith mitchell]

Gail you have got that skulking pose spot on! Ants a bonus on this super image.

Cheers Keith.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Sure, it came out pretty nice! love how the bird´s chest is almost touching the water and besides is so captivated by the little ant! I hope the ant survived!!!!
If mine, I would try to tone down the upper part of the image as it is a tad bright and the eye likes to go there.

[Bill Dix]

Great bird, not easily seen or photographed. Love the comp, and exposure is spot-on. Terrific pose.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Wonderful image, Gail. Love that balanced stretch and concentration. You did very nicely under the those conditions.


Geoffrey

[Jim Neiger]

This is really cool, Gail. You did a good job on the bg. The low angle and action are awesome.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the low angle, striking pose, ant, IQ and setting. I think that ant was gone within a couple seconds of you taking the image. Very well done Gail!

[David Salem]

Looks like the ants last second! Cool frame Gail and I like the detail in the bird and the pink legs. Sweet exposure too. I agree with cropping from the top as it is a bit bright. Well done

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image. Spectacular moment captured.


Regards,
Satish.

[Randy Stout]

Gail:

Well done, great sense of anticipation. Glad the ant was looking away.

You got very nice results, but I would certainly have tried ISO 3200 so you could push the shutter speed up abit. I have seen some fine high ISO 1DX shots, so know the camera can do it.

I believe the trick with using higher ISOs is to be sure you don't under expose. You do not want to have to raise the darker areas in post, thats when the noise really jumps out.

Again, you pulled it off nicely, but something to tinker with under less stressful conditions.

Cheers

Randy

[Gerald Kelberg]

Cool image - really tells a story with the suspense of - what happened next!

Gerald