From Indian Lake Estates. There was a mayfly explosion while I was there and these guys, as well as the Cattle Egrets, were having a feast! While going for some intimate feeding portraits of the cranes I got this one playing with a small twig. I did not get any with insects in the bill though...
Canon 7D + 100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/2000s., f/7.1, ISO 800 (histogram checked), natural light, handheld, small rotation (otherwise FF). Toned down the OOF flowers at left via clone tool.
Hi Dan, a well thought out comp, and I like how you have positioned yourself to have the crane against that killer BG. Excellent sharp detail on the head and bill, and I love how those reds pop on the forehead.
You nailed the composition on this one Daniel.
I really like the diagonal line created by the neck and head.
You have show cased the red crown to perfection.
Beak is so nice and clean.
A keeper for sure!!
Gail
Daniel,
I always become surprised with the quality you can get with the 100-400mm and the 7D, When I started bird photography 2 year ago I started with that combo, but the quality even close, Like we use to say, the gear isn't all, congrats, excellent photo.
I never noticed before this image how the red on the head is shaped like a heart. Your composition is wonderful, leads my eye from the bird's eye right down the bill to the stick. FABULOUS light. Also, nicely sharpened. But what else would we expect from you??