I spotted this fellow yesterday. I didn't notice at the time, that long OOF grass had cut him to bits and images i took, not really useable. But how extraordinary! I didn't know how beautiful these ibis are. I thought they were black and white with yellow throat plumes. Photography (no matter how bad at it I might be) is such a privilege. A second ibis appeared today, but nothing good of them as a pair together. I'm getting to know the visiting patterns, so hope to get back there soon.
No feet again. I,m not a big fan of square crops, but I'm hoping this works. The sun was shining brightly of the OOF grass is the FG, making it very bright. It still is destracting for me, but unsure how to fix.
In ACR - Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Black, Clarity and Vibrance increased. HSL saturation sliders adjusted.
IN PSCS6 - OOF grasses removed and tried to tone down the bright FG. Vignette added. Cropped to 42% FF, resized and sharpened for posting.
Outstanding, Glennie! Gorgeous bird. I'd put this one on the wall were it mine. I see why you re-worked the FG for its distracting value. Could you substitute grass from another area via a layer overlay?
Thanks for including the pre-crop image -- makes it easy to understand the FG problem.
I especially like the sidelight on the scapulars and bill, and the catchlight on an otherwise too-dark eye.
I like bird photography -- I can catch 'em before they fly away and look 'em up in a bird book after the sun sets.
Last edited by Jess M. McKenzie; 01-14-2016 at 11:40 AM.
You have way too many pretty birds down there!! How do you ever find the time for the laundry?
The iridescence is beautiful -- I'd love to see one in soft sunlight. I like the crop and you have done some nice processing here. I think you could go a little wider on the crop, but not a big deal. The environment is pleasant without being distracting, and nice job burning down the FG grass. I'd be tempted to try the same on the brighter grass in the BG from about the base of the neck up -- you should be able to mask the bird well with his (her?) fairly smooth outline.
This is one where some fill flash could have equalized exposures a little. Looks like you had a seat on the shaded side. Happens to me too much.
Hope you are able to find these guys again -- they are worth the effort!
More please. I'm glad you included this one, and the net effect for me is to make me want to see this bird with a bit more light. Is your area famous for a variety of birds? Your sense of joy and enthusiasm shows through. It's contagious.
I am fortunate indeed with the variety of birdlife. The laundry is always a mountain I can't jump over.
I won't be able to get back to the pond for at least the next couple of days, but I'll go later in the day when the light is softer. I was still shooting at 5.30 pm and the sun was hard and hot. I don't own a flash, so maybe I should just sit on the right side of the shade.
Straw Necked Ibis
