I went to Circle B Bar Reserve this morning but that was a bust, nothing much happening today. On the way home I stopped by Lake Mirror in the center of Lakeland, Florida. Nothing much there either until I saw this coot perched on a concrete step. I moved closer trying to get setup for a portrait because I did not want the concrete step in the image. I approached slowly talking, chirping and clucking to the bird. I am sure he wondered what is the overweight old guy with a beard making those sounds walking towards me, so if from nothing else but curiosity he stayed in place so I could capture it's portrait. 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 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/2000 F/5.6 Matrix Metering 0 EV ISO 800, camera supported by a concrete wall
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10, dodging and burning to the head, neck, and bill
Cropped for composition and presentation
Last edited by Joseph Przybyla; 11-02-2015 at 05:10 PM.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
Excellent portrait Joe! I really like the dodging and burning work you mentioned doing, particularly the bill.
I see on the lower breast white diagonal lines, which I am guessing are reflections from the water. You may consider a little burning in that area, if those lines distract.
American Coot
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