Bosque Update

Gallery: AvianPosted January 1, 2012206 views13 comments

Just a quick update from Bosque Del Apache. I made my annual New Years Day trip to the Bosque. The Marsh loop is closed due to muddy road conditions. Not sure when it will re-open but if the weather holds, I imagine it will be pretty soon. Farm loop was open. Plenty of crane and geese activity. A pretty good number of hawks and eagles. The eagles were pretty active early this morning dining on snow geese that didn't make it through the night. If anyone is interested in more details on the refuge, feel free to contact me through the NPN e-mail link.

This shot is about 90% of full frame. North end of the farm loop. The cranes were poking around in the mud for something to eat. Not often (even at the Bosque) that you can get a full frame head shot of a Sandhill.

Techs: Canon 50D, 500mm f/4 with 1.4x TC
ISO 200, 1/1600 f/6.3
Handheld

Larger version included - some fun detail in the larger version.

Happy New Year!

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on January 1, 2012 at 11:44 PM

Wonderful image Keith. Amazing detail and light on this beauty. At first I thought I might like more room above, but I think the neck and texture of the feathers makes this composition work well. Love the open beak as well. Awesome work!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 2, 2012 at 1:45 AM

Excellent close up Keith. I like the pose and feather detail and I did not realize they had an opening in the upper beak. The larger image looks great, way to go, nice job in getting this full frame shot.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 2, 2012 at 8:17 AM

Excellent portrait. I don't think I've ever seen this much detail on a wild sandhill. Very nice background and I like the open bill. My inclination would be for a little more room up top but that's only personal preference.

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

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on January 2, 2012 at 11:32 AM

Wow, this is close! I like the detail in the feathers & the eye along with the blurred brown background. Good exposure too!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 2, 2012 at 2:57 PM

nice, Keith--I like the great detail, interesting head angle, mud on the bill, and nice bg. the comp works for me. an interesting and unique perspective.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on January 2, 2012 at 3:13 PM

Keith, I really like the pose with open bill. Nice sharp details and perfect head angle.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 2, 2012 at 5:56 PM

Nice head shot Keith. Great detail.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 2, 2012 at 6:56 PM

Unusual use of the frame and comp but I love it !
Long and thin !

JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 2, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Superb image with amazing detail. What a way to start the new year. I especially like the detail in the reds. They are so easy to lose. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Eirini Pajak on January 3, 2012 at 6:47 AM

He has an interesting expression, it looks like he is talking in a funny voice!

Registered on December 13, 2011, 216 Posts, 1671 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 3, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Excellent! So cool to be able to get this close for a head-shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on January 4, 2012 at 8:11 AM

Wow Keith, this is a fantastic close up, I don't think I've ever seen a portrait of a Sandhill so up close. The details are great and you really got the exposure right on. I really like the way the head is turned slightly and having the beak open. Nice BG as well.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 4, 2012 at 4:41 PM

Nice portrait Keith. Excellent details and colors!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments