sunset sandhill silhouette

[Keith Carver]

At the Bosque, Nov 11, 2007, crane pool west of the main road.

5D, 500mm, 1.4X, ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/60, -0.7 EV.

Would like to have had a nice clean pool background, but it was what it was. Comments appreciated.

[Arthur Morris]

Your self critique says it all... The clutter in the water ruins the SILH effect...

[Rob Palmer]

I agree with your self critique but still a nice silhouette.

[Robert O'Toole]

Thought I recognized the location by the thumbnail.

I like the image because it reminds me of bosque but Arthur and you are correct about the clutter.

A small s curve and some sharpening would make what you do have better I think.

Robert

[Keith Carver]

Thanks Artie, Rob, Robert. Robert, I fiddled around with trying to remove some of the clutter near the head using your APTATS technique (it's a routine part of image cleanup for me), but just couldn't make much of an improvement without false artifacts. I did apply an S-curve, and ran USM 125/0.24/0 three times. That helped the contrast and sharpness in the repost.

But mainly this gives me incentive to get back out there in November and try again, look for a cleaner background this time. $$ permitting, maybe I can even sign up for one of your Bosque instructional sessions, Robert.

[Arthur Morris]

In past years, many of the ponds and impoundments were bulldozed to pure water every seven year or so. Current (mis?)-managament has allowed pretty much all the spots where the birds congregate to become overgrown...

I was told by biologist Vradenburg that the main impoundment was to be plowed to a lake over the course of the past few months. I am headed to Bosque on 11 SEPT leading a group of volunteers who will supposedly be allowed to improve photographic conditions at the refuge. Last year almost all lines of sight to the birds in the various farm fields were badly blocked by tall vegetation. That had never ever been allowed to happen before.

When I complained, I was told that the staff was too busy, that I should do the clearing work myself. I said, I will have a work party ready by tomorrow. They said "You cannot do that; you need to come back in the off season." So that is what we are doing.

Time will tell.

For the whole story, do a search in the Bulletin Archives or just scroll down to last years' DEC Bulletins.

[Keith Carver]

Thanks Artie, especially for all the off-season prep work next month on those pools. I wish I could come out to help with the pools, but it just isn't realistic for me for September. Through your bulletins and newsletters, I have followed your interactions with biologist Vradenberg. I know it's a huge job clearing away obscuring vegetation, and hope you have a good group to help out. The rest of us benefit from it and really appreciate your efforts.

[Robert O'Toole]

Thanks Artie, Rob, Robert. Robert, I fiddled around with trying to remove some of the clutter near the head using your APTATS technique (it's a routine part of image cleanup for me), but just couldn't make much of an improvement without false artifacts. I did apply an S-curve, and ran USM 125/0.24/0 three times. That helped the contrast and sharpness in the repost.

But mainly this gives me incentive to get back out there in November and try again, look for a cleaner background this time. $$ permitting, maybe I can even sign up for one of your Bosque instructional sessions, Robert.

Let me know Keith it would be great to have you along on one of my workshops there. Let me know if i can be of any help in the mean time.

Robert