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Things are "looking up"
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Things are "looking up"

by Craig Strand

Gallery: AvianPosted February 25, 2012100 views7 comments
Things sure are "looking up" lately if your looking for Bitterns at the local refuge. In my past 5 visits I think I've spotted 12 which is better then going months without seeing any. I like the eyes peering around the upraised beak and the detail in the under chin feathers in this cropped image. He was in the standard heads up alert position and this crop is about 25% of the original full size.

Larger version available, thanks for stopping!

canon 7D
canon 600mm f4.L IS USM
F/8 1/350 ISO 100
auto window beanbag lens rest, CS5, LR3, NIK's suite

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Carlette Bragg on February 25, 2012 at 9:16 AM
What a different view! Love it. The clarity and sharpness is right on.
Registered on March 19, 2009, 76 Posts, 387 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 25, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Fun shot, Craig! I like how the eyes are looking right at you - or or more likely that long glass :biggrin:
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by David Haynes on February 25, 2012 at 1:02 PM
Craig,
What a cool looking image. 12 in the past few visits....WOW. Lucky you. Love eyes going cross eyed around the beak. I might crop from the left side and make this centered. Rules are meant to be broken occasionally and I think it might help in this case. Just a thought though. Great detail on the neck feathers and excellent control of the whites and exposure. Super image Craig. I really like this one. TFS
Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 25, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Neat shot - talk about eye contact.

That's a lot of bitterns and I'm jealous of the opportunity. Since I've moved here to the desert I've only seen 2 in 18 years now.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 25, 2012 at 9:50 PM
Love it! Although it makes me a little dizzy.. :biggrin:
Great detail -
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2012 at 5:00 PM
I really like the large version of this close-up Craig. Is has an abstract feel to it, especially if you look at with the majority of the beak cropped off. Wonderful details. :cool:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Dottie Short on February 29, 2012 at 10:09 AM
This is a wonderful image and quite comical. I agree with your 'likes' and would include the wonderful background. Thanks for posting Craig.
Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments