Sandhill Crane - Bosque Del Apache NWR

[Ron Boisvert]

Canon 50D, 500mm f/4L IS USM, tripod mounted
ISO 400, f/6.3 @ 1/2000, Auto Exposure, Av, +1/3EV, 2/6/2009, 8:20am
Cropped from top

All comments and suggestions for improvement are appreciated. I'm particularly interested in feedback on the head shadow, and the wing and body position - any negatives there?

[Lance Peters]

Hi Ron - sweet light, Exposure looks spot on - Lots to like here!! Nice sharp clear eye - good HA and flight position (as in you have him flying towards you. Sweet.
Some miht wish for a little more seperation between the head and the rear wing...

Keep em coming :)

[Desmond Chan]

I agree with Lance re the separation. But that's not too much of a biggie to me. This image looks better than mine so this is a good image as far as I'm concerned :)

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Ron,
Head separation already stated, the composition, image and capture is spot on. I like the angle of flight captured, and the placement in frame. Your subject has very good definition in the wings with superb color rendition...I like the head angle and sharp eye contact. You also have the classic forward wing position which is sweet. The lighting was in your favor thus giving the image a soft even illumination; and the soft, out of focus earth tones of the background showcases your bird quite well...good show...proud of you Sir...show me more...:):cool:

[Richard Waas]

Ron, I love the complimentary background. Great light as well..... Congrats!!

[Nonda Surratt]

The wonderful light and the bird look at you, plus sharp, hardly notice the wing. Well done Ron!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Great BG and I love the +.33 to capture all the tones possible and keeping it to the far right - another one nailed!!

[Kyle Marie Barcelos]

Great job, everyone already said everything:)

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Sharp eye, good details, lovely background and good exposure. An excellent image, I like it a lot.

[Alfred Forns]

Really nice Ron and you seem to be getting the wind right every time !!! Bird is taking off to the SSE !! Love that wing position !!!!

[Christopher Miller]

Great work, Ron! Head shadow is maybe a little distracting, but minor point on a great image!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Good catch Chris, great shot Ron, but the head shadow is noticable.

[Bob Miller]

HI Ron....I like the image for all the reasons stated above . The head shadow does draw my eye. But I still vote "keeper"

[Ron Boisvert]

Thank you all for the feedback on my zillionth sandhill crane posting. When I do my part right (not very often I'm afraid), that 50D and 500mm lens are a kick-butt combination.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent Ron, have you considered cloning the head shadow, I may run one more pass of NR on BG.