Almost Landing

[Arlene Spagna]

Another of this spoonie during its brief morning fly-over at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, (FL), Jan 2008. It appeared that it was going to land but it suddenly turned and flew off. One foot looks a little awkward up against its body (as if going to land.)

Any comments appreciated.

Nikon D200, 70-200 w/TC, ISO 400
1/3200 @ F/5.0

[Maxis Gamez]

Hi Arlene,

Very unique flight image. Perhaps a second before or after would allow you to capture the wings wide open. I would clone out the trees in the bottom as is adding nothing to the image. Keep them coming!

[Alfred Forns]

I like the coming at you angle Agree with Maxis on the branches and also would have like to seen those wings open It is an interesting pose well exposed and sharp !!!

[Mike Wilson]

Nice light and a lovely subject. I think the wing position is less than desirable though. Keep trying these flight images, they are not easy.

[James Shadle]

I'm old school.
I still prefer a good old fashioned crop.

IMO this crop eliminates the branches and makes the wing position more interesting.

Don't be so quick to pull out the clone tool. Study the image.
If you can crop it, maybe the next time you can frame it that way in the camera.

I love the eye contact!

Jim Bob Vader

[Grady Weed]

Cropped is much better, at least to me. Now it has a almost crashed landing look to it, as if you planned it that way.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The repost looks better to me. I actually like the unusual pose.

[Arthur Morris]

Sharp, w/perfect exposure. I love the pose, it looks as if it is running in place... I like the cropped re-post but I would be tempted to lose the branch altogether...

later and love, artie

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Great action that you captured in this image Arlene and I love the excellent detail and beautiful color. Fine work !!!

[Arlene Spagna]

Thank you all for your comments. I like the recrop. The cropping is no problem since there was ample room around this spoonie. (I think the included branch gives it a sense of place and then seems like the bird is putting on the brakes to land on the branch.)