American Black Vulture 2

[Grady Weed]

This is an American Black Vulture, mature. Both sexes look alike. they are also more aggressive than Turkey Vultures and run them off and take over the kill. There were hundreds of these guy's at Anhinga Trail in the Everglades, walking along the fence rail, in the tress, sitting on the gators, the brave ones at least. They have a certain smell about them. You know when they are around even if you are blind. They do make unique subjects to photograph, to me anyway. I really enjoyed seeing them and photographing them. I cropped this to about 85% of the original frame for a 9x12 print. How would you like to see this in the mirror every morning? LOL.

Specs for the image for those who want to know: Canon EOS-1D Mark II N, Shooting Date/Time 2/13/2009 06:29:12, Shutter Speed 1/100Sec. Av(Aperture Value) F8.0, Evaluative metering, Exposure Compensation -1/3, ISO 400, Lens: EF300mm f/2.8L IS USM, Al Servo AF, Daylight White Balance, Portrait Picture Style, both to warm colors a bit.

On the Gitzo Tripod with Wimberley 2 Head, kneeling down at eye level, sun to my right and behind me. Left side of Anhinga Trail, Everglades. Photoshop work: Version 6, slight levels to darken blacks, minor curves, +5 contrast, cropped slightly, 1 sharpen pass, signed. I Incorporated the last suggestions about more room to the images right for aesthetics.Let me know what you like or don't like. All comments welcomed and appreciated.

[James Shadle]

Grady,
Man you are killing the Vultures(pun intended)
Again you have a excellent specimen, great light a well exposed. Erect feathers on the Vultures head is a real bonus.

I re-cropped rather than try to explain the minor change, that IMO puts it over the top.

I'm not a big cloner, so I used the burn tool(chemical darkroom technique) to tone down the bright spots on the lower right.

And a little hot spot clean up on the bill.

Glad to see you 'glades adventure was productive.

James

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Grady,
Very nice specimen (for an ugly bird).....you know me and the love of the crop tool....I would go further than James....and take the 2 dark spots off the top with the crop as they draw my eye. Still.... a very nice capture!

[Grady Weed]

Thanks Roman and James!

[Art Kornienko]

Very nice indeed, I would have preferred a smoother bg but that's about it.

[Steve Maxson]

Hi Grady. I agree with the others. The sharpness and light on the bird are excellent. I would wish for a smoother background as the mix of lights and darks is distracting for me and draws my eye away from the bird.

[Grady Weed]

I will say the dander looks better gone. A little "Head & Shoulders" shampoo!