Buff-banded rail

[gail bisson]

Taken on Lord Howe Island this past March.
These guys are everywhere on LHI. By sitting or lying still, they come right up to you.
1 DX, 600mm
5.6@1/320 ISO 1600
Crop to 60% FF, smoothed out a few lines in BG. Would have loved to be at f 8 but light did not permit.
Comments and critiques always appreciate and learned from with thanks,
Gail

[Ian McLachlan]

Not only do they come right up to you but they are very beautiful just as you have shown us.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Optimal i think is the word that springs to mind Gail! I like the composition colours and details..and the background. Processing looks good.

[Moe Richard]

Excellent color, detail, and background. Another half stopper prop possibly one stop of depth of field would keep all the feathers in perfect focus.

[kevin Hice]

Nice Gail looks fantastic. TFS

[Bob Smith]

The multicoloured BG works well with the colouration of this bird Gail. You caught this fellow eye-to-eye so I'm guessing you had your chin in the grass.

[John Mack]

Details on the bird look great. Background is nice as well. The stuff on the bill is neat.

[David Roach]

A portrait of a rail... Really... The BG works so well for me in this one... I don't miss the F8 view as you nailed the focus right where it needs to be. Just an awesome colorful canvas overall. TFS

[Gerald Kelberg]

Hi Gail, Superb rail image - love the patterns in the plumage and that striking eye. Lord Howe Island must have been quite an experience! One for the bucket list!

Best wishes, Gerald