Coot on the Levee

Gallery: AvianPosted January 24, 2017181 views2 comments

This coot was grazing with a bunch of it's buddies on one of the levees at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The raised levee put the coots almost at eye level with the car. I like the softer color of the tall grasses set off against the bright greens of the new growth. I also liked that intense red eyed look for the coot's next snack.

Canon 5DIII, 1/640 sec, iso 400, 100-400 ISL w/ 1.4 Xt. at 450 mm, slight crop off of bottom and right side for balance, hand held balanced on bean bag on window of car. thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Comments

2 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 24, 2017 at 12:22 PM

Sounds like a nice layout down there. Ridgefield doesn't have any places where you're not shooting down to some extent when birds are on the ground, though some places aren't bad. Nice exposure and detail in the coot. It looks like you had pretty harsh light, but overall a very good image.

devil

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 24, 2017 at 9:43 PM

Hi Ed,

I like the comp and you were apparently close enough to the ground to get this view. Lighting is harsh, but you were able to get the shot. I would add a touch of sharpening to the head and try to do a little burning on the bill as my only suggested edits.............................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments