Falcon Soaring

Gallery: AvianPosted February 10, 2010168 views10 comments

2nd try . . . hope the quality of posting is better.
Nikon D3 / ISO 200 / Nikkor 80-400 mm @ 350 mm / f 5.6 / panning, handheld.
Searching for breakfast on a stormy morning near La Jolla Cove, a Brown Pelican uses his massive wings to catch the uplifting air currents as he effortlessly glides over the rough surf that pounds the rocky Southern California coastline.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 10, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Now you got it! This is so much better ...I like the detail on the wing and the rough, frothy surf. Glad you kept trying and looking forward to more posts from you. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Johnston on February 10, 2010 at 11:11 AM

Well . . . I spent so much time figuring out how to get the photo posted with some quality and now I see I "some how" managed to post it with the wrong title! I am a better photographer than computer person.

Registered on February 7, 2010, 5 Posts, 8 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on February 10, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Much better post Larry and a nice image too!
The rough water shows the hostile environment these bird live in day to day.
I also like the bend in the wing tips showing the lift they provide.
If it were mine, I'd like the bird positioned more to the right so it isn't so centered and there is room for it to fly into.

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Courtenay on February 10, 2010 at 1:01 PM

It looks a tad under exposed to me but a quick adjustment in levels will sort that out

Dave

Registered on July 18, 2005, 56 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 10, 2010 at 1:43 PM

Larry: MUCH better post. Looks like you worked through the posting issue. I like the angle you captured this from and the "churning" of the ocean below. I'd like it even more if the bird had more room on the left to fly into. The composition feels a bit centered as is. Thanks for re-posting.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on February 10, 2010 at 4:18 PM

I am so glad you got it to work. I like the nice look at the eye and the turbulant waters behind. I also like how you are looking down on a bird in flight. That doesn't happen all that often. MOre room to the left would be nice if you have it.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 10, 2010 at 6:21 PM

Glad you were able to figure out how to size images for posting Larry.

I like the setting you have here, the turbulent water is interesting behind the bird.

The image does appear a bit dark, lightening it up some would possibly make the image stronger.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 10, 2010 at 10:29 PM

Welcome, Larry. Others have mentioned the nits on this one. I really like the large dof that brings out the surf in the bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 11, 2010 at 2:01 AM

The lighting on the scene is a bit overcast I think, good for detail but maybe a bit subdued. It is good that the eye is visible but it would be even better I think if the nearest wing tip wasn't in front of his bill. Can't have it all sometimes. The setting is incredible, you are fortunate to be able to shoot in this area.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 11, 2010 at 3:18 PM

Much better Larry. Good job on this post.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments