Preening Anhinga

Gallery: AvianPosted August 14, 2011633 views12 comments

I shot this preening Anhinga at Shark Valley, Everglades NP in March 2011. 95% of my FL shooting was done within 2 hrs of sunrise but I couldn't pass up this midday opportunity. I think Anhingas are really fascinating birds, but challenging subjects. I found I preferred close crops, portraits, and abstracts with them. This one I considered cropping in on the right also to have the bird cropped on all 4 sides of the frame but decided against it.

I'd especially like to hear what you think of the composition. The oof fg branch against the wing is an obvious nit. Due to the high level of detail I had to compress this a lot more than usual--all the way down to 70 on the quality slider.

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view the larger version if possible.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, monopod

1/640, f/9, ISO 500

Crop to 58% (10.4 of 18MP)

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 14, 2011 at 11:32 PM

Excellent detail, Brian, and I love the curve of the neck and the bright eye.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 15, 2011 at 12:16 AM

Stunning detail. Very nice!

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

Comment posted by Verdon on August 15, 2011 at 12:33 AM

my wife said : that's nice, what else can I say.......

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on August 15, 2011 at 12:54 AM

I agree with you that close crops, portraits and abstracts are really the most interesting views of Anhingas, and this one is wonderful in detail and intimacy.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on August 15, 2011 at 8:57 AM

Once certainly can't quibble about the amount of fine detail present in the larger image. Quite amazing. I think the comp is just a matter of taste.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on August 15, 2011 at 9:51 AM

Nice BG, great detail, Think the crop is well done.

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 15, 2011 at 11:04 AM

Beautiful detailed Portrait!

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on August 15, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Looks very fine. Nice detail and I love that red eye.The comp looks good to me but I also think it would look good cropped in from the right as you were considering. Maybe cropping into the head and neck from the right for a super tight out of the ordinary look. I think it would look good either way.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on August 15, 2011 at 3:13 PM

Great detail. Wish you had included the top neck part.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on August 15, 2011 at 4:47 PM

Wonderful feather detail and that red eye really draws me into the image. I like the close up comp as the bird has some interesting patterns, colors and a good downward pose with that long neck and beak, so this works just fine with me. Well seen and well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on August 15, 2011 at 10:45 PM

Fabulous detail with a nice artistic pose. I too, wish the top of the neck were included, but still a fine Anhinga portrait. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on August 24, 2011 at 7:24 PM

Brian, I love your close-up of this Anhinga. The curve of his neck is so graceful and so much detail can be seen in the large version. And then there's that eye - I never knew Anhinga's had red eyes! I suppose because I've never seen such a close-up of one before. Really nice.

Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments