Spoonbill portrait

[Barbara Ponder]

A little different portrait.....CC always welcome and appreciated.

[DEAN01]

Stunningly wonderful, Barbara! Also, all of your recent post are great--haven't had time to respond individually. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Shadowman]

Nice profile.

[Barbara Ponder]

Stunningly wonderful, Barbara! Also, all of your recent post are great--haven't had time to respond individually. Looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks Dean! I was at Bolivar Island yesterday and around a lot of cattle and horses, made me think of you!

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice profile.

Thanks John!

[Rita]

I like it. Keep waiting for it to keep moving across the screen. Your bird images are all wonderful.

[Barbara Ponder]

I like it. Keep waiting for it to keep moving across the screen. Your bird images are all wonderful.

Thanks Rita!

[FrankMi]

Spectacular capture, Barbara! One of the most interesting Spoonbill images I've seen. I love the action, color, and detail!

[Barbara Ponder]

Spectacular capture, Barbara! One of the most interesting Spoonbill images I've seen. I love the action, color, and detail!

Thank you Frank!

[AlwaysOnAuto]

That is a really nice shot, ma'm.
Ranks right up there with some of the other 'bests' I've seen posted here.
My hat's off to you, Barbara!

[Barbara Ponder]

That is a really nice shot, ma'm.
Ranks right up there with some of the other 'bests' I've seen posted here.
My hat's off to you, Barbara!

Alan thank you! That is truly a compliment as there are many very talented photographers here!

[JBW]

I tried a few different crops and while some of them enhanced the eye none of them were overall better. Perhaps a little individual sharpening and colour enhancing of the eye?

[Rebel]

Very nice shot Barbara

[Dave Humphries]

Great shot Barbara,

It just goes to show that even if the action happens closer than the focal length required for an 'entire' shot, that's no reason not to shoot.

Like Brian, I did wonder about the crop, but I also couldn't improve it (by reduction), therefore, if mine, I might try showing another 50 or so pixels along the lower edge, adding negative space below and moving the eye a tad higher in the composition - just a thought and one which may not work for a variety of possible reasons.

For me, the sharpening and colour is fine when viewed at 1:1; in other words, at 1,600px × 756px, it looks very natural.

Once again, that is a great capture.

[Wavelength]

Your birds always tell a different story, so always interesting...

[IzzieK]

And I might add...I like the stories her pictures tell. I like the princess colouring of this bird and the crop says it is moving and in action even if you did not show the whole body. Another excellent shot...

[Barbara Ponder]

I tried a few different crops and while some of them enhanced the eye none of them were overall better. Perhaps a little individual sharpening and colour enhancing of the eye?

Thanks Brian! I played around with it some as well. There was a bit more of the shoulder which I cropped. He came at me much closer than I expected but with such amazing colors I could not pass up the shot!

[Barbara Ponder]

Great shot Barbara,

It just goes to show that even if the action happens closer than the focal length required for an 'entire' shot, that's no reason not to shoot.

Like Brian, I did wonder about the crop, but I also couldn't improve it (by reduction), therefore, if mine, I might try showing another 50 or so pixels along the lower edge, adding negative space below and moving the eye a tad higher in the composition - just a thought and one which may not work for a variety of possible reasons.

For me, the sharpening and colour is fine when viewed at 1:1; in other words, at 1,600px × 756px, it looks very natural.

Once again, that is a great capture.

Thank you Dave, I had a little more on the shoulder but it threw off the composition. As I told John he came at me much closer than I anticipated but I really like the movement aspect of the shot and well the amazing colors. I appreciate the suggestion of the addition at the bottom and will try it to see if I like it better.

[Barbara Ponder]

Your birds always tell a different story, so always interesting...

Thank you Nandakumar! I tend to like the weird, just like me!

[Barbara Ponder]

And I might add...I like the stories her pictures tell. I like the princess colouring of this bird and the crop says it is moving and in action even if you did not show the whole body. Another excellent shot...

Thank you Izzie, I loved the movement it evokes and glad that others appreciate it as well. It was one of those unique shots that some might not find appealing while other do.