Slipping in One Last Spoonie Bath

[Melissa Groo]

Canon 7D
500mm
Gitzo 3530LS/Wimberley
Standing in water.

1/1600 sec
ISO 400
f/8.0

Slipping this in under the wire for December's bathing theme. Photo taken on Shadle's boat out at Alafia Banks, Tampa, FL, last Feb. Just processing it now. I liked the sense of power in the downward stroke of the wings.
About a 30% crop. Some recovery of whites in Viveza, sharpening and NR in CS5.
Would very much appreciate any comments and critiques. Thanks for looking.

[John Chardine]

Hi Melissa- This is a very sweet image. The colours, composition and action are all great. Perhaps the only thing I would do is run some noise reduction on the water below the bird. I wonder of a little off the bottom would be a thought?

[Sid Garige]

Brilliant action very well captured Melissa. Techs are perfect and composition works great too. Like it as posted.

[Lorant Voros]

Very powerful image,Melissa. Action is frozen, colors are great and I like the composition as it is. Beautiful.

Lorant

[gail bisson]

Well done Melissa. I like the colors and the full frontal view. The big splash really helps as well. Great exposure. A really fun picture that brought a smile to my face.
Happy New Year to you and yours and thanks for all your helpful critiques since I joined BPN,
Gail

[denise ippolito]

Melissa, Great action captured and the splash makes this special. Exposure and sharpness rock!

[Geir Jensen]

Beautiful picture, Melissa.

[Sachin Saraf]

Happy New Year Melissa! this is a stunning capture...Loved the splash and Exposure and colors are really pleasing....TFS

BTW really liked your website wonderful work.

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, all.

Happy New Year to you too Gail (and thanks for YOUR insightful critiques), and to all BPN folk.

John, good tip on the NR on the water in front, will do that on my own copy.

Sachin, thanks so much for checking out my web site and for your kind words. Still much to do but at least it's a start.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the action, composition, colours and exposure. Well done Melissa!

[Arno Ellmer]

Excellent image,Melissa .I like the low angle,the water droplets/splashing and the vibrant colours.
A healthy and successful photographic Year 2012 to you !

[Melissa Groo]

Thanks much, Jim and Arno. Wishing you both a very healthy and happy New Year, with tons of photographic success and fulfillment!

[arash_hazeghi]

very cool Melissa, you got the action!

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Awesome Melissa. The dof and sharpness of the bill are super and seem to jump right out at you..