Breakfast time

Gallery: AvianPosted December 27, 2013144 views11 comments

The common American Coot is not exactly a bird that too many nature photographers will go out of their way to photograph, but I encountered this guy last weekend just as he was scoring some breakfast. I get a peaceful feeling when I look at the photograph probably knowing what serene area I found him swimming around with a bunch of mallard ducks and a Great Blue Heron fishing near by. I like the contrast of the colors - the black of his plumage contrasted with the white of his beak and red eye all set off by the beautiful blue of the water.

Shot at 400mm, f/11, 1/640, ISO 400

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 28, 2013 at 10:30 AM

Good job on the exposure on your coot. These can be tough with that white bill blowing out. White under tail is close. Image lacks a bit of detail esp on the side. I like the red eye and the prey in mouth along with the pretty blue water. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 28, 2013 at 11:38 AM

Agree with Shaons assessment. Larger version is showing cloning artifacts in the upper right part of the frame.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 28, 2013 at 1:24 PM

Thanks for the input Sharon and Keith. I guess more than a newbie at photography, I am really a newbie at PP. Below is the image as it came out of the camera. Old dead-eye Keith picked up on the cloning. :) I was trying to get rid of the reed sticking up which I thought distracted from the coot. I guess I need to hone my cloning technique (among many others). I appreciate the help gang, thanks!

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 28, 2013 at 2:07 PM

Not an easy bird to get proper exposure on but you did well here - kudos on getting something in the bill too

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 28, 2013 at 2:44 PM

Thanks Luke!

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

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on December 28, 2013 at 6:39 PM

Super sharp eye and wonderful behavior captured. Good job.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 28, 2013 at 6:51 PM

Nice, Sandy. Excellent job on the exposure. and a sweet head turn. A tip on cloning: Look at the area around what you want to replace for texture and brush in the direction of the texture to clone. In this case the ripples are left to right. I'd us a brush about the size of the ripples and work from let to right or vice-versa being careful to get them to line up properly.

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

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 28, 2013 at 7:36 PM

Super Dennis, thanks for the tip. I just brand new to it and I was just swishing around with the brush with no record to the considerations you mention. Another great lesson learned!!

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

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 28, 2013 at 7:38 PM

Thanks Ed, it's always fun to post one where I don't leave with my tail between my legs!!

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

Comment posted by Lucy VanSwearingen on December 29, 2013 at 12:34 AM

Another nice sharp shot! You must have L lenses! And a very steady hand!

Registered on May 23, 2009, 800 Posts, 2042 Comments

Comment posted by Sandy Scott on December 29, 2013 at 7:51 AM

Thanks Lucy, one thing I had enough sense to do when I started this hobby around July 1st, was to spend my money to start with on lenses and not camera bodies - at least for a starter. I use a Canon 100-400mm and a Canon 100mm Macro lens - both L lenses. Fortunately, the image stabilization works so well on these lenses that I have yet to purchase a tripod and even do my macro shooting hand held.

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