Black Point Wildlife Drive Birds

[Second Hand Pat]

I went with a couple guys from my local camera club to Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island and took the 200-500 lens for it's second spin. The pics are a little soft but still like the results.

Early morning light was really nice.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/443/31959929272_6d3640f2a1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QGbZvj)DSC_3769 (https://flic.kr/p/QGbZvj) [/url]

https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/611/31266839564_b09807d302_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_3770 (https://flic.kr/p/PCWJ5L)

Reddish Egret

https://c4.staticflickr.com/1/641/32108451275_9847839016_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_4018-2 (https://flic.kr/p/QVjcVv)

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/596/31960061072_118c4d156a_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_4020-2 (https://flic.kr/p/QGcEFJ) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

[brewmaster15]

Pat the reddish egret are awesome. Thats one of the Herons I wish we got in CT. They are supreme fishers...first pic it shades the water so it can better see the prey...but it also attracts the small fish that way..they think its the protection of branches. Thats such a neat egret...the way it runs about dancing.
Al

[Second Hand Pat]

Al, I love this heron. It is becoming one of my favorite birds. It is a delight to watch it dance about, use it's wings to create shade and catch fish. It is delightful and goofy all at the same time.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Al, this some type of rail?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/440/31959901592_53f8e68d78_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QGbRh5)DSC_4102 (https://flic.kr/p/QGbRh5)

[brewmaster15]

Pat, its definitely a rail... problem.is alot of rails call Fl a home in the winter.

Clapper,King and Virginia are all there and similar.... my guess is clapper rail. If you have other photos you probably can make a positive ID.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clapper_Rail/id

[SMB2]

Pat the Reddish are special.
Did you need a lot of noise reduction? the bird has a buttery look , that I like, sometimes comes with NR. I would be tempted to tighten the crop a bit, esp. the third image.
These are just great. Complements to the 200-500, Gitzo and Wimberly :o

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Stan, I love the Reddish. I could shot it all day. :o Actually these are hand held and yes, it was a bit overcast so walking a careful line between shutter speed and ISO. I shot all in manual but do see plenty of room for improvement. I actually need to go by myself so I can shot from a tripod. I have a couple more shots to share.
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Great Blue Heron

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/757/32069150616_3d8291bb22_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QRQMcW)DSC_4119-2 (https://flic.kr/p/QRQMcW) [/url]

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/363/31732913880_9c6fea62fc_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_4137 (https://flic.kr/p/Qm8tJQ)

Little Green Heron

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/410/31732904520_16ca18ffa2_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_4165 (https://flic.kr/p/Qm8qXs)

Mr. Duck

https://c5.staticflickr.com/1/709/32069124556_e7de3a2ce6_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)DSC_4255 (https://flic.kr/p/QRQDsC) [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/]

[Second Hand Pat]

Was this the one you were suggesting a tighter crop on Stan?

https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/779/31735673370_0e06dc76ca_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QmnC3f)DSC_4018-3 (https://flic.kr/p/QmnC3f)

[Discus-n00b]

That one with the mullet in it's beak is the one! Love it!! Excellent photos Pat, love the sharpness and freezing of the action on all of them. Florida is where it's at for Wildlife, dream location for that!

[Second Hand Pat]

That one with the mullet in it's beak is the one! Love it!! Excellent photos Pat, love the sharpness and freezing of the action on all of them. Florida is where it's at for Wildlife, dream location for that!

Thanks Matt but I think I can do better with practice and a tripod. I am loving the 200-500 lens. Definitely the place for water birds. :D
Pat

[Second Hand Pat]

Pat, its definitely a rail... problem.is alot of rails call Fl a home in the winter.

Clapper,King and Virginia are all there and similar.... my guess is clapper rail. If you have other photos you probably can make a positive ID.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Clapper_Rail/id

Al, none of the other photos offer anything new on this guy.
Pat

[Jack L]

this looks so good, it looks fake
DSC_4018-2

i like it better with full frame too.

[Second Hand Pat]

this looks so good, it looks fake
DSC_4018-2

i like it better with full frame too.

It almost looks like a painting Jack (or does to me :))
Pat

[SMB2]

I love the S curve in the neck, so for my eye the tighter crop accentuates that.
Since the bird is working right to left, I would leave more space on the left (take some off the R). And a little more off the top. That will "encourage" the eye to go from the body, along the curve to the head, and to the reflection, finally back to the body. (Also brings out the four triangles made by the legs/reflection, also an eye catcher.) That keeps the viewer right where you want them!

105546

[Second Hand Pat]

These are great observations Stan and I really like the suggested crop.

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5610/32081818396_747cd8f727_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QSXGTW)DSC_4018-5 (https://flic.kr/p/QSXGTW) (https://www.flickr.com/photos/129594174@N08/)

[SMB2]

Again, that is just how I view it. You are the maker! I have had a fair number of "judges" critique/criticize my photos and their observations are often helpful. My biggest issue is seeing these through the viewfinder. But when the action is really popping you are mostly left to picking images that work when viewed on the light table.
When I look at this bird, my eye goes right to the eye and beak, then to the neck. But I find the reflection takes you to the legs (we are wired to see triangles) and back around to the body and neck.
I think it is one of the strongest bird images you have posted. A really fine shot.

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Stan and I agree. I think I have found my colored entry for Feb. The theme is Open. :D
Pat

[Discus-n00b]

I could take a lesson on cropping, especially from Stan. I've never been the best at cropping I feel like, but as you were explaining the crop I was like.....wow this is scary he's right!

[SMB2]

Matt, nature photography is tough because you can't always plan to have certain elements in an image. So when I am looking at shots the first thing is lighting and focus. After I delete all those poorly lit OOF images, I then start looking for the things that catch our eye. Sometimes it's right there, sometimes you can bring it out with cropping.
I am also overly critical in my images about things that take your eye away, like bright areas in corners, sticks coming out of heads etc.
I always admire people who shoot landscapes, inside old buildings, old cars etc who see those elements in the viewfinder. It's what makes their images special. Most of the time when photographing nature, I'm just happy getting the focus and lighting right and go from there in post.
Often I will see an image like Pat's and I just like it. But then you have to ask yourself why is that one special to your eye, and if it was yours what could you do to tweak it.

Over the past year Pat's images have gotten better and better. She and I talk a fair amount (on the side) so to some my suggestions may seem overly critical, but she knows when to tell me off!

[brewmaster15]

Stan,
I would love for you at some time to make a thread where you take several images from capture to posting and share step by step what you do with the image. I think it would be really helpful to members looking to understand the way capture and post processing come together. No pressure lol. Im just planting the idea in your head for when have time to spare. ;)


Al

[Second Hand Pat]

I can say without a doubt that I have never told Stan off but instead I have valued his input (and goes for everyone here). :D:D Most of the time I have put any input to good use. :D
Pat

[SMB2]

I would love for you at some time to make a thread where you take several images from capture to posting and share step by step what you do with the image. I think it would be really helpful to members looking to understand the way capture and post processing come together. No pressure lol. Im just planting the idea in your head for when have time to spare.

No problem, Al. But a few disclaimers: I am Photoshop illiterate. I process in LRcc with some plug-ins. Most of the stuff I shoot supplies the art, for me anyway. As I shoot in RAW everything needs some work.
So I can post some ideas in "Techniques".

[Jack L]

i'd prefer to hear the non Photoshop take on it anyway.

[brewmaster15]

No problem, Al. But a few disclaimers: I am Photoshop illiterate. I process in LRcc with some plug-ins. Most of the stuff I shoot supplies the art, for me anyway. As I shoot in RAW everything needs some work.
So I can post some ideas in "Techniques".

That would be great! I know zip about light room as I use dark table and raw therapee. With a little help from Gimp so would really enjoy readingnon your process. Thanks!
Al