Unhappy Limpkin

Gallery: AvianPosted February 26, 2011138 views16 comments

This fellow landed too close to our boat for my 500, so he became a portrait.
He also apparently did not read the bird book: "Limpkins are usually nocturnal, and seldom fly". They are VERY awkward fliers, so I surely understand why they avoid it!

An interesting, large wader I had not seen before - fairly common but local only in Florida.

D300s
500mm
1/2500 sec, f/4.5
Mode: Manual
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO
Flash: Off

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by dan elster on February 26, 2011 at 3:48 PM

Great detail and a nice slight head turn toward you. The open bill makes this a much more interesting portrait.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 26, 2011 at 3:48 PM

Nice close up, great detail. I like the eye and beak, for some reason the open beak reminds me of a pelican.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 26, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Sandy,

Limpkins make a sound I shall never forget, so unusual.

You handled the exposure very nicely, those white feathers on the wings and body can be very difficult not to blow out. Great view of the eye and the open bill is an added bonus. Nice details and sharpness.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 26, 2011 at 4:28 PM

I love it's call - although kind of creepy (and LOUD) in the middle of the night!
For those who want to hear a sample - go to "listen" in the upper left here:

http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=BD0131

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 26, 2011 at 5:42 PM

Nice detail and sharpness on the larger view. Well done portrait. I like the frame you added.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 26, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Nice! The composition works for me. Good detail as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 26, 2011 at 7:42 PM

Sandy, Since I've never seen this species I followed your link and "listened". That made this open beak pose even more compelling for me. I like the detail in the larger image and think your composition works well.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 26, 2011 at 8:04 PM

Excellent face shot Sandy. The detail and exposure look great. Contests on your capture!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on February 26, 2011 at 8:43 PM

Awesome details and exposure here Sandy... I love that open beak too!

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 26, 2011 at 9:34 PM

Hi sandy

After viewing the larger version, I'm amazed at the great detail and color. This closeup composition works very well

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 26, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Wonderul open bill portrait. Image clarity is impressive too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on February 27, 2011 at 5:38 AM

Talk about a loud screaming bird! Nice exposure and details!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on February 27, 2011 at 3:40 PM

Neat bird Sandy. Love the open bill and the sharpness.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 27, 2011 at 8:57 PM

You should hear them when they are calling. It's very loud. Hi Sandy. I love that you got the open mouth and there's always room for a good portrait IMO.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 28, 2011 at 4:25 AM

Love the open beak Sandy. Great BG too. Nice detail and sharpness on the bird. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM

this is good Sandy like the opening beak and some good detail to

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments