Terrapin

Gallery: WildlifePosted July 8, 201082 views5 comments

On my way home this evening I took a spin down my favorite beachside road in hopes of finding some interesting birds. They were few and far between, but I found this Diamond-backed Terrapin crossing the road (I stopped and helped it the rest of the way) and took some shots while I was at it. This is only the 4th time I've spotted one of these beautiful animals who crawl out of the marshes to lay their eggs in the upland dunes.

Nikon D300s 105mm f/2.8 VR HH laying down
f/8
1/800s
ISO 320
-.67 EC

- Luke

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on July 9, 2010 at 3:53 AM

They're wonderful creatures. I used to have two of them when I was little (the ones with the red cheeks). If this were mine, I'd crop a slice from the top and left to move the head more up and create more space on the right (and less on the left). Did you try a slightly warmer WB? Thanks for sharing.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on July 9, 2010 at 7:46 AM

Great details and expressions here! Agree with Marsel's suggestions, I would like to have some more space at the bottom too.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on July 9, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Stellar shot Luke! I've never seen one of these, so I can't comment on the WB. But personally, I like the framing as is. Even though the head is horizontally centered, she still has room on the right to look into and I think the shell is necessary for context. So I have no nits at all.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on July 9, 2010 at 1:07 PM

With such close-up portraits I have no problem with the head /eye being in the center of the frame, so com-positionally I have no nits here at all Luke. exposure and DOF are perfect, I only wish the light would have been a little softer.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on July 11, 2010 at 8:48 PM

Great detail in the turtle. Maybe just a little space on the bottom.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments