Hooptie Duex Strikes Pink!

[Arthur Morris]

Created this image this morning on the maiden voyage of James Shadle's new pontoon boat, Hooptie Deux. The spoonies are getting prettier each week. The next month will be rocking. Short-notice reservations are fine.

Canon 500mm f/4L IS lens wtih the 2X II TC and the EOS-1D MIII on the old Wimberely head atop a Gitzo CF 3530 LSV tripod equipped with a set of Tripod Condoms. ISO 500. Evaluative metering -2/3 stops: 1/1250 sec. at f/11.

Added a sliver of canvas in front of the bird otherwise pretty much as was out of the camera...

Don't be shy. All comments welcome. Later and love, artie

[Jim Poor]

Hope I get to see some of these in March! It looks like the pink color is just running down from the shoulders.

I can't think of a way to improve it, so I'll ask a question instead.

What's up with the top of the "spoon" part of the bill not having the same pattern as the rest. Does it get worn, or change seasonally or some such?

[Arthur Morris]

As the birds get juiced up hormonally, some of them get the indigo ink markings on the bill, some don't. This bird has a pretty nice bill, but some of them become mega... Later and love, artie

ps: I like it too!

[Blake Shadle]

Hey, Artie! The colors look outstanding, and the detail in the eye is great. His posture looks a little unusual, was he leaning forward? What did you think of the Hooptie Duex? Pretty sweet?

[David Hemmings]

The colors and details are outstanding on this beautiful spoonie. I am not sure how I feel about the composition. I prefer to see all of the bird, but this way the image emphasizes the neck and face/eye. All a matter of taste, either way it is a sweet image:)

[Grady Weed]

I have to agree with the above. I would like to see more room for the feet. I could go either way as for the cut off tail. I prefer the whole bird. But it is yours, not mine. As for details, this rocks. Excellent color to by the way. Post all you can of these.

[Richard Kowalski]

Artie, a question about your thought process?

Why did you choose a vertical format instead of a horizontal? Was this because of the 1000mm focal length or was there some other factor in your decision to cut off the bird's tail?

Thanks

[James Shadle]

I have to agree with the above. I would like to see more room for the feet. I could go either way as for the cut off tail. I prefer the whole bird. But it is yours, not mine. As for details, this rocks. Excellent color to by the way. Post all you can of these.

"Why did you choose a vertical format instead of a horizontal? Was this because of the 1000mm focal length or was there some other factor in your decision to cut off the bird's tail?"

Artie,
That is an awesome February Spoonie.
The light could not be better.

Grady, IMO this is what I call a bust or 3/4 portrait.

Richard, IMO this is the only composition that would present a beautiful portrait of this Spoonbill without distracting background elements.

I was there, this image was taken on an Oyster Bar!

Great use of DOF and composition to create a portrait like this.

The water at the bottom is a sweet bonus.

The image looks a tad over sharpened for my taste.

Captain Darth Shadle

[Arthur Morris]

Most of the birds were very close to the mangroves. Even in early morning light, mangrove roots, many covered with shells of some sort, are U-G-L-Y. So with this image in mind, I approached slowly and slowly. Everyone else stayed well back in order to try for some flight images. My goal was to get close enough to be able to point the lens a bit down at the birds and eliminate the ugly background. Once I got close, the bird was too large in the frame for a horizontal. I sort of pioneered this compostion in :The Art of Bird Photography." I called it the vertical front-end compostion and advised: "Give an inch behind the legs." I works especially well here as all of the carmine-red scapulars are included.

If I included the whole bird as some above suggested the viewer would be deprived of the amazing feather and bill detail, especially the saffron yellow at the bend of the wing and the incredible India ink markings on the bill. I am fine with those who do not like this COMP. I on the other hand, love it; it is one of my very favorites.

Another of my "Rules for Art" is to "cut not clip." That is why I "cut" the legs where I did, just below the ankle joint--yes, the ankle.

Lastly, this bird is not in full breeding plumage. In two weeks many will have bright lime green heads and more saffron yellow feathers on the breast.

Later and love, artie

ps: I just looked at Grady's avatar puffin image and had a good chuckle...

[Fabs Forns]

Wish I could have been there with you guys! Good looking bird. I love black backgrounds for the Spoon, sort of dramatic!

[Grady Weed]

Art, your full explanation for the choice of comp is much clearer to me now, especially after a full nights sleep. You cropped, not cut, the feet at the ankle joint, something I did not fully appreciate till you said that, is rather cool. As I said above, the choice of comp in not showing the tail is OK with me. Had you been closer the colors and details of what you wanted to show would not be there. Since I have not been pleasured to see these as close as you have, something I will remedy next time with James, I do not have your insight as to the best way to photograph them.

I am by nature, a lover of the environment. The animal creation we are privileged to see and photograph is under great pressure from all fronts. And I cant wait for each new day to see it, photograph it and educate others on how it should be more protected.Your photos tell me you feel much the same way. I hope that others will take the same view someday.

Check your e-mail later from me. Thanks!

[Arthur Morris]

Hi Grady, Thanks for your post above. I did not receive your e-mail but thanks for sending it.

One clarification: the image is actually frame plus a bit more in front of the bird so I did not crop at the ankle joint, I framed the image to purposely cut the leg below the ankle joint. If I had cut the ankle joint in half, that would have been a compostional error. Better to cut the leg in half than to clip the toes.

later and love,

artie

[Isak Pretorius]

Wow, just love this one! These spoonbills are incredibly beautiful. Everything perfect in this photo, just as you've taught us!

[Jim Neiger]

Hi Artie,

I figured you were after something like this when you moved in close. This wonderful image makes up for all those shots I got of your backside as I was photographing the incoming Spoonies. (just kidding - I knew you were there, so I just bumped the focus around you) In addition to the praises above, I really like the effect of the light reflected off the water.

Thanks again for the use of your 1Ds3. My 1d3 died and is still dead. I will be sending it in tomorrow.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Great image Artie with outstanding detail ,color and lighting. I have learned a great deal from this image and how you dhose to frame it etc etc. Thanks fo much for taking the time to explain your thought process. It has been most helpful and informative,

Again many thanks
Judy