Brown Pelican (Peiecanus occidentalis) Landing / Salton Sea State Recreation Area
On my first visit to the Salton Sea State Recreation Area, I entered the visitor center and asked where a good place might be for bird photography. "At the end of the parking lot." I then asked about the best spot. "At the end of the parking lot." Skeptical, I headed to the beach at the end of the parking lot, thinking I would look around and go back to ask where the truly good place was. I stayed for hours. It was here that I learned that Brown Pelicans are divers; the American White Pelicans (Pelicanus erythorhynchos), dabblers. The Brown Pelicans dived for several hours. One of the most engrossing scenes I've experienced.
Anyway. Behind the visitor center is a shallow lagoon, but still the Brown Pelicans put on a show. That is where I made this photograph.
Canon 1DX, 500/4, tripod/gimbal
1/2000, f/4, ISO 250.
Increased clarity, shadows, vibrance, yellow and orange saturation in LR.
Sharpened bird, blurred BG in PS.
Thought of vignette from Color Efex, and might still go that route.
Photographed in September 2014.
Jim, another good one! I like his outstretched wing and his beautiful spread tail. Here I go with my cropping! I'd take a smidge off the RHS. WDYT? I thought you may also be able to lift the shadow on his chest a bit. I'm a big fan of vignettes, but not sure if I would put one on this image...maybe a light one looped over the top, RHS and just his wing, but allow him to fly straight through in the front.
Hey, Glennie. You're right about the RHS crop. And I'll play with the other things. This was fun. I wouldn't have attempted this before the last few weeks of you and Diane walking me through some of the PP. Thanks for the comment.
Nice shot! I've found a lot of good parking lots and docks. Sure beats hiking with a big lens.
I think Glennie's crop is worth a look, along with a bit off the top. I would also have a look at bringing down Highlights and up with Shadows. Maybe back off on Clarity -- hard to know till you've set the other two, then a little Clarity is often needed. Definitely worth playing with!
Hiya Jim,I'm so inspired by you guys and your ability keep trying mate! I think your timing was brilliant. I love the outstretched webs on the feet the wing detail is wonderful. A vote here to move him right and just maybe keep what you had below him to give him room to land into. With you being so much more advanced than I, could it be a challenge from me to create some canvas to facilitate this(LHS)? I know this can be done but it might sit against your ethics. Jim, I'd really struggle with exposure here I know it,which is leading me to ask if more detail can be extracted from the white area: head and neck ?
Ahh Jim iso 250 I think most of us brits are growing webbed feet with the amount of rain and dull light we are getting.
Thanks for sharing this i hope it's ok for someone like me to challenge you,i feel so far behind everyone else,my motivation is coming from a good place though
Stu, your ideas and opinions are as welcome here as anyone else's! We have such a great group here, with good participation, and that's how we all learn. Post, ask, answer, suspend seriousness and enjoy!!
You're so right about motivation -- that's key to so much in life!
Brown Pelican (Peiecanus occidentalis) Landing / Salton Sea State Recreation Area
