Virginia Rail

[Bill Dix]

The light had faded, but we stubbornly waited for a Sora to appear in a small marshy area in Cape May. I noticed some movement to my left, and immediately saw that it was a Virginia Rail, not a Sora. I grabbed just two frames before he (she?) darted back into the reeds. It's the first image I've ever gotten of a Virginia Rail, and I don't recall seeing any of this species posted here. We went back the next day in better light but the Rail didn't reappear, although we did see three Soras.

D500, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 2000, 1/800s @ f/7.1 manual; fill @ -2.3. Gitzo and Mongoose.

[William Dickson]

Well done on capturing this bird, if they are anything like our Water Rails, they are so elusive. You did well to get the details. i like the pose and the 'natural' feel surrounding the image. The raised leg adds.

Will

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Congratulations on the lifer. Excellent capture, Bill under the low light conditions, and the few seconds you had. I didn't see him this much in the clear. Like the stance, raised foot and detail.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Joseph Przybyla]

A difficult bird to find and photograph, you did well. Nice image of the bird in the habitat they like. Sharp image, good colors... thank you for sharing, Bill.

[gail bisson]

Nice find and good flashwork.
Rail looks great with lots of detail. Well portrayed in its environment.
If this was mine I would remove the whitish OOF prominent grass behind the tail. Small detail but I would also clone out specular highlights on the toes from the flash.
I really like the curved grass in front of the rail.
Good one Bill.

[Alex Becker]

I like the environment and the raised foot as well. I agree a couple highlights could go. I like the eye and the great catchlight. I've never seen this bird before so also very cool. TFS

[Bill Dix]

Thank you all. I thought the curved grass on the right might be helping to frame the subject, but you're right, it's better without it. I also took out some flash highlights on the toes, and a few in the water. Thanks for the suggestions.

[gail bisson]

This looks great!
Gail