First view of a Spoonbill

[Stuart Hill]

Recently got back from Florida, WOW! What a special place. The people, the birds!

Working my way through the raws. This is a Spoonbill shot from a boat in Bradenton.

Had to add 3 wing tips top left and little sky. All critiques welcomed.

D300 + 300mm HH
F5.6 1/4000
ISO 640 (forgot to check!)

[Richard Waas]

Stuart, I'll leave the techs to the bird experts, but the exposure looks dead on and detail is beautiful. Nice PS work Congrats in a nice image.....

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice post work - like it as presented. Great pose, nice eye and soft colors. I like the use of slight side-light it gives depth and the shadows add to the image quality and tonal range IMO - well done Stuart!

[Harold Davis]

agree with jeff and richard. nice job all around!! i like the forward wing position.

[Bob Miller]

Wow...Like this image alot! Nicely sharp and great PS work on the wing tips. The warm color of the bird against the cooler blue color of the sky is terrific!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Stuart - lovely pink tones - ling the wing position - expousre looks good.
Big Congrats :)

[allanrube]

I like the pose, wings and legs going in opposite directions. Exposure is right on!!

[Stuart Hill]

Thanks for the comments. As soon as we got back I bought a Spider3 pro to calibrate my monitor and it looks quite different than before, so I'm glad it works. This is the before image.

regards.
Stu.

[Peter Farrell]

Wow, that is a great capture. Exposure, color, detail, pose and nice work on adding the wing tips.