Blue Crane

[Katie Rupp]

This morning, when I saw Ken's Blue Crane image I was reminded of the only time I had seen this bird, at Etosha National Park in Namibia, March 2009. This is cropped from the horizontal. C&C encouraged and greatly appreciated.

Canon 40D; f5.6, 1/2000; Av +1/3; ISO 800 and 1-400 @400

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Katie, I liked the clean profile here. Brings out the typical crane grace. Loved the soft light, BG and all the grasses. A round of NR on the BG will help a lot. Crop-wise, if mine, I'd take some off the top. And probably include some more on right.

[Fabs Forns]

Sweet as presented, very soft mood, good profile, and very subtle habitat included. Good placement in the frame too. Well done, Katie.

[Ignacio Yufera]

You don't see many shots of these beauties (BTW, South Africa's national bird). Lovely portrait, and good job getting close, I remember them quite skittish. Very nice soft light and BG, and I really like the few grass stems showing a hint of the habitat.

[Randy Stout]

Katie:

A new one for me. Very soft feel, nice background.
I would be inclined to crop off 1/3 of the free space above the head, but nice as is.

Cheers

Randy

[Bill Dix]

Sweet image, Katie. Comp highlights the grace of the bird, and its habitat. Agree with a round of NR, and a bit off the top. Otherwise a beauty.

[wendell westfall]

Kate, a lovely, touching portrait -- gives me a soft, intimate feel. Do agree with "some off the top".

[Ken Watkins]

Katie,

This is certainly "head and shoulders" above my effort, Etosha is the only other place I have seen them as well, but I never got close enough.

[Kiran Poonacha]

Its a very beautiful looking Bird, heard they are in danger too, its a pity if we lose this beauty.. god help