Twisty Neck Cormorant

Gallery: AvianPosted December 26, 201398 views8 comments

Apparently this cormorant was under the impression that I was casting for a remake of The Exorcist and wanted to demonstrate that he could play the Linda Blair part by turning his neck 180 degrees. I posted a portrait of this beautiful bird a few days ago and thought I would post this unique full body shot of him captured a few days ago. Prior to posting this and in retrospect, I probably should have used a higher f stop and attained a slight more DOF.

Shot at 170mm, f5.6, 1/800 ISO 100

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 27, 2013 at 10:15 AM

That's a cool back side pose Sandy, well done

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Matthew Studebaker on December 27, 2013 at 10:42 AM

really fun, dynamic pose. I could see including a touch more space behind the tail and below the feet.

Registered on December 21, 2013, 11 Posts, 82 Comments

Comment posted by Matthew Studebaker on December 27, 2013 at 11:26 AM

I see the light was over your right shoulder and probably had to be that way because of the path. I think light towards the end or beginning of the day would decrease the shadows in the background and under the bird to help the bird "pop" from the background.

Registered on December 21, 2013, 11 Posts, 82 Comments

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 27, 2013 at 12:08 PM

Matthew, true on the space. In this particular instance, I was more interested in the head pose than bringing out the plumage - I was hoping to draw attention to the interesting head position, and with the lighting, the eye is taken directly there.

Registered on December 6, 2013, 85 Posts, 345 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 27, 2013 at 8:51 PM

Neat pose, Sandy.

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

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 27, 2013 at 9:13 PM

Thanks Dennis! He was a very willing subject!

Registered on December 6, 2013, 85 Posts, 345 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 28, 2013 at 10:38 AM

Great pose captured! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 28, 2013 at 1:26 PM

Nate and Sharon, thanks so much! I am really becoming my own worst critic and was totally enthralled with the shot technically, but I loved the pose!

Registered on December 6, 2013, 85 Posts, 345 Comments