Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Sandhill Crane head-on

  1. #1
    Robert O'Toole
    Guest

    Default Sandhill Crane head-on

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Just returned this weekend from Bosque (spend more than 30 days there this year) and the conditions were superb this year, thanks Artie and the volunteer staff!

    The morning this image was taken I was with a private workshop participant and due to the conditions we went straight to this spot, the NW cornfields. People say Bosque is crowded but the participant and I had the place alone til after 9 AM!!! Then we left and returned at noon and had it alone again for hours with perfect light and wind.
    I filled 2 x GB cards and I still am behind on processing, which is unusual for me.

    Thanks for looking, critiques welcome. Hope you enjoy it.

    I will be leading 2 workshops at Bosque in 2009 with White Sands NM add on WS for 2 extra days.

    Image Copyright 2008-2009; Robert OToole Photography


    Nikon D300, Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR + 1.4X, 1/1600 @ 5.6
    ISO: 400
    Last edited by Robert O'Toole; 12-10-2008 at 07:59 PM. Reason: CR

  2. #2
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    1,672
    Threads
    216
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    wonderful capture Robert, the light couldn't have been much better.

  3. #3
    david cramer
    Guest

    Default

    Spectacular light and great framing. Beautifully set off from the BG.

  4. #4
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    805
    Threads
    85
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Robert nice to see your back from your tour of duty, heck you where there when I was and that was 5 feet of snow ago since I got back to Michigan on the Nov 16.

    Great detail, placement and like the two tones of background.

  5. #5
    Robert O'Toole
    Guest

    Default

    Thanks Raymond, the light was high clouds all day long, just about perfect.

    Robert

  6. #6
    Robert O'Toole
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis "Curly" Buchner View Post
    Robert nice to see your back from your tour of duty, heck you where there when I was and that was 5 feet of snow ago since I got back to Michigan on the Nov 16.

    Great detail, placement and like the two tones of background.
    Thanks Dennis, wish we had some of that snow at Bosque this year !

    Robert

  7. #7
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Lovely light and underwing detail. Was this from the day that I left? A big QM on the BKGR (you do know how to create a QM, right?) and then some Gaussian blur would make this strong image even stronger.

    ps: Thanks for your co-leading and other help.
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  8. #8
    Co-Founder James Shadle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Valrico, Fl
    Posts
    5,108
    Threads
    1,419
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    11

    Default

    You answered my question.
    The shadow indicates the sun high in the sky.
    But the contrast looks great. High clouds!
    Do you feel the golden foliage added to the warm feel?
    James

  9. #9
    Robert O'Toole
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Lovely light and underwing detail. Was this from the day that I left?
    Yes it was Dec 4th. Rebecca and I did very well in the AM with cranes then extr well around lunch with geese. I will post some tomorrow. I wish you could have been there!


    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    ps: Thanks for your co-leading and other help.
    Thank you for the opportunity it was a great experience and both IPTs were excellent experiences with great participants.

    Robert

  10. #10
    Robert O'Toole
    Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by James Shadle View Post
    High clouds!
    Do you feel the golden foliage added to the warm feel?
    James
    Yes James, this year I noticed something different. Some of the crane images show 2 distinctly different types of reflected light, blue or purple blue on the top side of the wing from the deep blue sky and gold/yellow light on the bottom of the wings from reflected light off of the dry plants and corn in some areas.

    I will post one that shows this later this week.

    Thanks for the comments.

    Robert

  11. #11
    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    26,266
    Threads
    3,976
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Magnificent wingspread - love the textures/layers of the feathers!! The light looks great, and so does the BG. I kinda feel like the brightest of the bright BG patches under the wing could be toned down just a bit to match the rest. A big WOW from me!!

  12. #12
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Beautiful light, color, and sharpness, Robert. I like the diagonal composition of the bird. Well done.

  13. #13
    Judy Lynn Malloch
    Guest

    Default

    Love the great flight pose and excellent detail Robert. The beautiful lighting puts it over the top for me. Glad you had a wonderful time in Bosque and we have great memories from last year.

  14. #14
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    313
    Threads
    40
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Superb Robert...really great timing, pose and BG. I wonder if the brightest areas on the wings could be toned down a tad though? Great!

  15. #15
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Córdoba, Spain
    Posts
    3,099
    Threads
    211
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Yes, this is one of those "wow" images Robert. The wing spreading and the landing action is fantastic. Great light and BG. The textures of the plumage are stunning. Very well done

  16. #16
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wingspread at its best Robert. Stunning light, and this is pin sharp. Very well timed and captured.

  17. #17
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    San jose, CA
    Posts
    634
    Threads
    50
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Its a beautiful picture with lovely BKGR.
    I really liked the shadow of the birds bill on its body.

  18. #18
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Eagle River Valley, Alaska
    Posts
    1,371
    Threads
    64
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Stunning pose, BG, light and underside detail. Wonderful.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics