Limpkin

[Joseph Przybyla]

I captured this image of a Limpkin on the same overcast, foggy morning as the two Anhinga images previously posted. Image captured at Circle B Bar Reserve in Polk County, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 102mm (153mm FFE)
1/250 F/5.6 Matrix Metering + 2 EV ISO 900 AWB
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10
Cropped for horizontal to vertical for composition and presentation

[Karl Egressy]

I like the preening pose and the IQ on this, Joe.

[gail bisson]

I love the soft greens and the environmental component of this image.
I would clone out the 2 sticks on the right above the tail.
I like the "softness" of the image caused by the fog. Some may like a bit more contrast but I like this as presented.
Lovely preening pose and the eye is free of the nictitating membrane ( which is so often present when they are preening).
Also like the clear view of the feet!
Gail

[Joseph Przybyla]

Karl and Gail, thank you for viewing and commenting. Very much appreciated....

Gail, you and I thought the same about the two sticks above the tail. I had cloned them out in a previous version but when I compared it with the original with the sticks it, the one without the sticks appeared to lack the depth of the one with the sticks. I went back to leaving the sticks and not manicuring the image. I always appreciate your suggestions, thank you for taking the time to care.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I was going to suggest the two sticks too Joe, but read your reply to Gail. Kind of get it.
If anything, and should you have some space, I'd crop tighter from the left and leave some space on the right.
That would provide some better balance for my liking.
Thanks for sharing
Lovely soft light and almost looks ethereal with the softness as is presented.

[Ross Taylor]

I like the soft tones. The perspective that the perch creates is great, Joe. I love this composition.

I see how the two sticks in question are adding perspective, yet do distract because they are more focussed than the hazy woods behind. Perhaps blurring the sticks slightly would be an effective compromise?

Thanks for sharing,
Ross

[Daniel Cadieux]

What I love most about this image is the play of lines between the subject's pose and the branches. Good techs and super nice details. I agree with the two sticks already mentioned a lot :-) For me I would have preferred a bit more room for the comp top and right, with a bit less below...but well done overall.