Birds in landscape

[Steen Torner]

This image is from a recent trip to Lake Kerkini in Greece photographing Dalmatian pelicans.

Despite challenging weather conditions during my stay with fog and heavy storms, the sun came out one afternoon and by sunset the soft light made a beautiful scenery with Mount Belles in the background.

Please let me have your comments and critique.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III with Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM at 70mm.
1/400 sec at f/5.6 and ISO 1250 - manual exposure and handheld.

Regards Steen

[Isaac Grant]

I love this one. Love it. The light is great and the scene has such dramatic counterpoint between the small birds and the huge mountains. The birds all have good head angles which was very kind of them and I really like the distant pelican and the long lines created from it. Kind of looks like it just turned around and started swimming left. The sun peaking through on those majestic mountains is beautiful. Congrats on this one.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steen, what a lovely setting with the six Pelicans relaxing in the FG, as Isaac stated, all with good HA's. I also noticed the lone Pelican in the distance too. The late light cast across the mountains in the BG takes this over the top. An opportunity well used.

[John Whaley]

Subtle but beautiful colors and light. Wonderful image. Agree with the comments below but wishing for a bit more space above the mountains.

[Dorian Anderson]

This is a wonderful birdscape! The soft colors, mountains, and peaceful mood are perfect. I agree more sky above the mountains would
be nice. It would also be cool - if you ever go back - to get a shot right along the surface, even lower than you are now. Not sure if it would
work but I'd love to how it would turn out with the pelican against the base of the mountains.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Like everything about this capture, Steen. I too noticed the lone pelican in the distance, and I like the line of trees intersecting, and the low cloud formation at the base of the mountains.
Love how the brighter portion of the sky reflects in the water surrounding the pelicans.

Geoffrey




http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

[Steen Torner]

Thanks for all your nice comments.

Actually, I have a tiny bit more sky above the mountains which is now included ... ; - )

To Dorian: I did get lower as well and have an image against the base of the mountains (below). However, it is a very different kind of image and unfortunately without the top of the mountains.

Regards Steen

[Mike Poole]

Both shots are beautiful, but I be the first one looks superb if it were printed large. Great light, and all the birds have been kind to you - how often does that happen with wildlife? Excellent work, really top notch

Mike

[Jim Crosswell]

A real beauty Steen! I like the original version best. What a beautiful setting to capture these Pelicans in.