Sandhill Sunrise

Gallery: AvianPosted February 2, 2012417 views22 comments

Merced NWR
D300
18-200mm @ 200mm
1/160 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
White balance: Auto

Frosted weeds purposely illuminated by a couple car's foglights - unsure whether this enhances the photo, or if it would be better all black in the lower part - thoughts?

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on February 2, 2012 at 8:31 PM

Either way works for me, Sandy.
As a print on the wall, I would probably opt for the darker option for the graphic impact.
I'll enjoy this image several times.
Beautiful work, well done!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Nichols on February 2, 2012 at 9:18 PM

Beautiful Sandy. I like seeing a bit of detail in the foreground.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 2, 2012 at 9:21 PM

I would be happy with this on my wall as is. Very iconic!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on February 2, 2012 at 9:30 PM

Sandy.... you have out done yourself in this artistic beauty. I hope this gets the exposure it needs in the art world so you can think about retirement. Just gorgeous, comp. subjects and color, Congratulations to you!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 2, 2012 at 9:53 PM

I would leave the foreground dark if this were mine as I think the painting is slightly distracting. Just a magnificent image Sandy, I feel I'm there watching these geese flying across the sky.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 2, 2012 at 10:46 PM

Excellent. I think the hint of detail in the foreground is a plus for the image.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 3, 2012 at 4:11 AM

Wow!!! This is a beautiful photo Sandy, very moody. The dark band of clouds along the horizon sets this apart from a normal sunrise. I like the foreground as shown too. A well executed idea.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on February 3, 2012 at 6:39 AM

Weeds could work either way, cool capture, really beautiful !
Jagdeep Rajput

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 3, 2012 at 8:22 AM

This one is a real gem, Sandy.... and just think of all that money that you saved by not driving to Bosque too. Very nice.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 3, 2012 at 5:58 PM

I like seeing some detail in the frosted weeds, so this works for me, nice sandhill sunset.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 3, 2012 at 8:50 PM

I Love it sandy. Love the dof for the forground

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 3, 2012 at 9:10 PM

Love the colors and the mood of this Sandy.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 3, 2012 at 9:41 PM

cool shot, Sandy. I like it as posted.

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

Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 4, 2012 at 5:09 AM

Beautiful as-is, the detail in the foreground gives it depth.

Mark

Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 4, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Very nice sunrise shot. You got the birds in exactly the right spot. well done.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on February 4, 2012 at 4:07 PM

Incredible shot! Merced does look like a really special place. Wish I could get up that early for this kind of shot!

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Sentipal on February 5, 2012 at 1:59 PM

Sandy, Amazing shot as is. The tree on the left adds a lot for me. It keeps the horizon from being too flat IMHO.

Andrew

Registered on February 16, 2008, 200 Posts, 317 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 6, 2012 at 12:55 AM

Sandy,
It doesn't get any better than this. This would go great on the wall for sure. Landscape and avian meet in the middle. The composition is perfect and the leafless tree on the left side adds tremendously to this image. You could not have painted this any better. Not knowing what this would look like with the foreground not lit I can't say which I would prefer but I love this as is. The frost on the branches give me a feeling for the setting.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 6, 2012 at 11:49 AM

Hi Sandy A beautiful scene wonderfully , and artistically captured

Albert Darmo
Canada

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

Comment posted by Neal Cooper on February 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM

Beautiful image Sandy. I like the contrast in colors and composition. The tree on the left really anchors the image for me. Without it I don't think it would be as striking and complete. Awesome!

Registered on June 3, 2009, 144 Posts, 306 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on February 6, 2012 at 6:02 PM

Wonderful timing, to catch the birds in the perfect position.
Excellent image.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on February 8, 2012 at 4:52 PM

I guess they don't like to give one person too many weekly picks, but this would have been my choice. Just outstanding!

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments