Ibis Gold

Gallery: AvianPosted December 11, 2016114 views8 comments

Staying on ' European Time' during our recent trip to Miami, meant we also had the chance to get out very (very) early and drive to the Keys for a sunrise (or two). Even in the short time we were there it really is not hard to notice the wide variety of birds that actually live in Florida, and, although birds are not normally my 'thing', the American White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) that were waiting for us at Anne's Beach, Islamorada were just too good to ignore ...

SIGMA sd Quattro / SIGMA 180mm Macro: ISO 100, F16, 1/20 sec.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 11, 2016 at 4:54 PM

Beautiful, Mark. A wonderful scene and the golden water with the ripples is just gorgeous. While the slightly soft birds may not be a huge hit in this gallery, they work for me.

devil

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 12, 2016 at 12:35 AM

This is very nice. I don't mind not seeing the details in the bird's faces as this is almost a silhouette, and it was very early. I might remove the small plant. devil

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 12, 2016 at 3:36 PM

Well seen and well taken! I do find that little thing sticking up out of the water, a plant ? distracting. Also wonder what it would look like if more of the ibis had their heads out of the water. Still, a very fine photo. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Mark James Ford on December 12, 2016 at 4:27 PM

Hi, thanks and thanks for taking the time to comment on the picture. Certainly the light was something special. There was little chance to get the birds heads out of the water - rarely did more than two have their heads out at any one time and actually they were moving around quite a bit so that the composition was lost almost straight away anyway ... I found it rather interesting that all the heads were 'missing' and actually the main focus was to ensure the front Ibis had its head above water. Both the way the picture was developed and the relatively slow shutter speed lead to a certain softness in the image. I wanted to make the water as smooth and gentle as possible under the light and I was prepared to risk a little loss in detail in the birds to achieve this. Quite a few distractions have already been removed from the image enlightened

... but the plant (Mangrove shoot) as a small pivot around which the birds are moving was left in deliberately - I can see an alternative perspective without it ... enlightened

... but in the end i decided that it could stay ...

Thanks again for taking the time - much appreciated.

Registered on January 16, 2015, 60 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 12, 2016 at 5:52 PM

This is beautiful. The light and color is just wonderful and I like the softness which adds a special touch and mood to this wonderful image. I like the plant and what it adds as well. Excellent work. Something different and very beautiful.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on December 12, 2016 at 7:03 PM

The mix of light on the water is very nice and the FG bird making the circles is excellent. Really nice.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on December 13, 2016 at 7:17 PM

Mark great photo just as it is. Most would have cloned out the plant but its part of the landscape and I love it. I love everthing about this image. It does pay to come early and stay late;-)

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 16, 2016 at 6:55 PM

Didn't mention it in my first comment, Mark, but I vote for the plant. It belongs there.

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