One Ugly Bird

[Stephen Stephen]

I created this image on the Isle of Wight about two weeks ago. During my trip to England I managed to photograph four species of corvids including this Rook. I'm not sure of the large grey mass at the base of the bill is normal as I didn't see any other birds with it. Could it be a male trait?

Canon EOS 40D & Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm Handheld. 1/1000 seconds, F7.1, 1/1024 seconds, Fill Flash
Image about 65% of full frame.

I can't recall if I I overexposed this one slightly or just used Fill flash. The beach was rolling and the bird was walking up a slight incline.

[Peregrine Craig Nash]

I love Rooks and live very close to a rookery!! I think you will find that it is just an extended crop.This one looks as though it is young and probably born this year.

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Stephen,

Lovely low angle and exposure. Looks like it needs a little CCW rotation and I would like to see a little more eye contact.

Keep them coming!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Interesting-looking bird. According to the EXIF you didn't use positive EC. A better head angle would have helped getting a catchlight, the eye looks quite dark.

[Arthur Morris]

Axel nailed this one... With the head turned away, there is no light on the eye or the side of the face... A few hours work with the Patch Tool could clean up the BKGR.

[Raymond Barlow]

I guess we need the ugly one so we can appreciate the beauty in the others Stephen! cool shot.

[Stephen Stephen]

Thank you Peregrine, Maxis, Axel, Artie and Ray.

Axel I forgot to look at my EXIF. :o

Artie you're right, I should have vacuumed up those OOF rocks in the background as well. :)

By the way, I did create a few inflights which had some catchlight and a better head angle so perhaps I'll post one anohter time.

[Steve Canuel]

Hi Stephen,
I like the texture/shine of the bill and the sandy/rocky environment. Slight head turn towards you would've been nice but they don't always listen to us do they. OOF rocks don't bother me up to mid-chest level but I'd remove ones above that.
Steve