White Stork

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)
NW Hungary, Central Europe l July 2006
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N l EF 600mm f/4.0L IS USM l Extender EF 1.4x II l beanbag

In Hungary it is told that White Stork brings just born little babies home. Well this image is quite actual. The first storks have just arrived to their Hungarian breeding grounds and my little sweetheart, my daughter, Kea has just born. I am so happy and I celebrate her coming with you. :D

Comments and critiques are appreciated.

Szimi

[Chris van Rooyen]

Lovely low angle, great OOF background. Would have liked a catchlight in the eye. We still have thousands of White Storks in SA because of an exceptional rainy season, I expect they will soon start leaving for Europe too:-) And congratulations with the new arrival!

[Ramon M. Casares]

I agree with the catch light issue, but it is preety minor when seeing the image as a whole, love the prey, the pose, the light, the exposure, BG and detail. Big congratualtions! Good species for the special momento you're going thru :) Best of luck and congratulations!

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Despite the sunny conditions and the early lights the catchlight was not possible due to the slight headturn.
I never use PS catchlight. ;)

Szimi

[Ramon M. Casares]

IMO, taking in mind that the eye in proportion to the whole thing is preety small, the absent catchlight is not THAT problematic :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the captured moment, not looking good for the frog. I would run some NR on the BG.

Have fun with your daughter!

[Fabs Forns]

Very elegant classic image, and due to the sun angle, not catch light would have been possible with that head position me thinks. Fore and background, cream and peaches ;)

[Lorant Voros]

Szervusz Gyorgy,

Very nice image of this bird that we love so much in Hungary. I agree...a bit of head turn would have been nice, but I like the low angle, the sharpness and the BG very much. Congratulations for the birth of Kea...I'm sure she will grow up with love and respect to Planet Earth next to you.