Pink-backed Pelican

[Albert Froneman]

I took this image a while ago in the botanical gardens in Durban - these pelicans are regular visitors to the pond in the gardens and are quite used to people.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +2/3
Flash: External E-TTL
Flash exposure compensation: -2/3
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Continuous
ISO: 400
Lens: EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4x
AF mode: AI Servo AF

All comments welcome & best wishes for 2010 :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the head angle, sharpness and soft light. The bird is a bit tight in the frame for my taste. Was there something in the foreground in the lower left?

[David Thomasson]

Exquisite! The turn of the head, the exposure, the feather details, the background colors, the reflection -- spot-on all the way. The only thing
I might do differently is crop it just a tad wider all the way around, but that's just a personal preference. Beautiful job!

[Albert Froneman]

Thanks for the comments folks. I agree that a bit more space all round is needed. Axel - yes there must have been I think some vegetation closer in the foreground as this is also visible in the raw capture.

[Arthur Morris]

What I love most here are the textures, the texture of the lower mandible and the texture of the feathers.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Beautiful detail and sharpness,great flash work, well done partner:) and best for 2010! Agree on a slightly wider crop.

[Harshad Barve]

This is amazing image , exposure , flash work , details , textures spot on , I am ok with tight crop too
TFS

[Sid Garige]

A perfect image. Fantastic techs and wonderful comp.

[RAM MALLYA]

Nice composition and sharp image

[Tony Whitehead]

Superb feather textures and eye detail, Albert. Good aperture choice to give nice DOF coverage to the bird. Good flash work.

[Albert Froneman]

Thanks for the comments folks - as always they are appreciated :)