Sidelit Spoonbill

[Dave Mills]

Shot this recently at Waco. I got there just as the light was hitting the area near the entrance and the one spoonbill was busy preening there. He was facing the boardwalk so the light was coming from the right. Curious to know what others think.
Nikon D300,500mm,F/8,1/800 sec,ISO 640,-1/3 comp,tripod mtd

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love the side-lighting Dave and the bill! The eye really lights up too which looks great. Might crop a hair off the left?

[Jeff Cashdollar]

It took me a minute and then I saw the beauty in the soft light and the unique composition. Great eye and use of side lighting to display shadows for tonality and image depth. A nice change from flat light - sweet image.

[James Boland]

I love these kinds of image captures. I do agree with the left crop.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Dave - works for me - Love the side lighting and lit up eye.
Id crop some form the LHS as well.
Like it!!!

[Gail Spitler]

Dave
I think the eye really makes this image. The warmth in the setting sun also strenthens the yellow of the face and the pink in the feathers. Very nice.
I think with this portrait I might play around with a much tighter crop. It is the eye, the face and that great bill that are the focus here - maybe that's where the image is? Just a thought. It is all personal expression, I think.
Cheers
Gail

[Dave Mills]

Hi Folks, Appreciate the comments. I always like to leave room which ever way the subject is facing. In this case a bit more room than is necessary. Probably a happy medium would be to take off half the dark area on the left.
Thanks again for the comments...

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Dave

That bird has been there for a couple of months or more !! Moody capture and love the feel !!!