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Solitary Cormorant


Solitary Cormorant
Photo Information
Copyright: Ram Thakur (ramthakur) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2975 W: 108 N: 7726] (25028)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 70-300 4-5.6 APO DG MACRO, 58mm UV
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/400 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-04 3:12
Viewed: 482
Points: 33
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Have you seen the picture of a Cormorant on TN worse than this?
Well, I haven't.
Then why am I posting this picture?
The answer is not easy but I'll try to articulate in words what impelled me to inflict this torture on you.

On the 1st of this month, I went to Okhla Bird Park on the banks of the river Yamuna with the intent of shooting some water birds. I knew that the winter visitors like Siberian Cranes et al had long departed to their homes in Russia and Europe, but I was still hoping that some locals might still be on view.
So when I started looking for them, I saw two Cormorants and 3 or 4 ducks either sitting still or moving around lazily in the middle of the water body nearly half a mile away from where I stood on the embankment. I lost hope of shooting them with my 70-300mm and decided to go for bugs and bees instead.
I have already posted the pictures of a Grasshopper, a Babbler and a Seed Bug from that shoot.

The point is that when I was trudging back on the embankment road to reach my car, I suddenly espied through a gap in the trees a Cormorant sitting still on a wood stump just about 15 meters away. Suddenly hopeful of shooting a water bird, I quickly mounted my 70-300mm on my camera which I had already packed away into its bag. Taking careful aim through the gap in the trees, I took four shots in succession. Going down the slope of the bund to get closer to the bird would certainly have resulted in the bird flying away, so I tried my luck from where I stood.

In retrospect, many factors could be responsible for the bad shot:
1. It was mid day and the sun was just overhead (lame excuse)
2. I could not figure out the right combination of aperture and shutter speed in such light conditions (standard excuse)
3. I was so lazy I did not even try to get closer to the bird and consoled myself with the assumption that the bird would surely fly away it I tried to do that. (valid excuse)

However, since this was the only water bird picture I had been able to take after paying a fairly hefty park entrance fee, I thought I might as well post it on TN today, quite aware of the risk of getting laughed at by many of you.
So laugh away, folks, if you so wish. I am with you :).

I know writing a note on this Cormorant would be equally ridiculous, so I might as well skip it.

Bye and thanks for laughing!
Argus, Miss_Piggy, SueThomson, Jamesp, keanhoon, eng55, gannu, ellis49, aes_thor, Swats, uleko, matatur, eqshannon, rcrick, iris has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To parthasarathi: Thanksramthakur 2 06-06 09:14
To Swats: Goodramthakur 1 06-04 07:58
To eng55: Thanksramthakur 1 06-04 05:16
To Argus: I am obligedramthakur 1 06-04 05:02
To keanhoon: Very funnyramthakur 1 06-04 04:42
To heimann2: I'm obliged!ramthakur 1 06-04 04:38
To Miss_Piggy: I'm "chuckling", Anna!ramthakur 1 06-04 03:41
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2606 W: 133 N: 7480] (23317)
  • [2008-06-04 3:21]
  • [+]

I may be smiling after reading your note, Ram, but not because I think that this is a bad shot!
The POV and pose are great and though the image is a bit soft, which may be due to the difficult lighting and consequent focusing difficulties, the details of this cormorant show well, especially the plumage of the back.
Apart from that this species of Cormorant, The Little, (Phalacrocorax niger) is not that often shown on TN.
So thanks for sharing this pretty good image and the story to go with it that reminds me of my experiences.
Best wishes,
Ivan

Hallo Ram
I am not laughing at the photo. I am laughing at your sense of humour. I enjoy somebody’s company that can make a joke and that can take a joke. Yes I must agree, I have seen much better from your lens, BUT this is not so bad either. I like the dark almost olive green colour of the plumage on the Cormorants head. I blend in with the colour of the eyes. I also like the pose of the bird. It looks as if it gave you a cold shoulder. No wonder you could not get a good shot. So you see it is not all your fault. Blame the bird as well. I wonder if it is a female? Thanks for sharing.
Kind regards.
Anna

HI Ram
You have my 2 points today for your honesty! God, I have so many blurry and OOF shots that I think the delete button might be worn out on my computer. I like the composition, pose and awesome note! Thanks for making me smile!
Cheers
Sue

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-06-04 3:41]

Hi Ram

The number of times I have done the same thing!! Actually the shot has the look of one of those lovely hand coloured photographs from the Victorian era.

James

Hi Ram,
I am not laughing about your picture but because of your comment, so I give you one point for it!
regards
Pierre

Hi Ram,
Well, at first look i was wondering who would post a drawing to TN, it doesn't make sense at all. After reading your note, then i realised the head and tail of the story and pretty much of reasons for that. I think i will try the approaching way after a few shoots, no harm trying anyway.
TFS
Best regards,
Kean

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-04 4:58]
  • [+]

Hi Ram,
First of all i want to congratulate you for your courage.I'm a new member, but i think it's also worthy to read stories of photos,technics and learning about spieces here.Not watching only crisp clear photos.I think she is a pretty lady and not seems not so bad:)I hope you'll tolerate my insufficient language as a english teacher:)
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 4 N: 2302] (10736)
  • [2008-06-04 5:26]

Hello Sir,
First time I am getting into a real serious note from you (non subject). I rate the note rather than the picture. Superb sir Seem to be in a good mood....!!!! Ganesh

Hi Ram,
our photo is not that bad, i have seen worse even of my own, believe me. I have posted a couple, take a look in the "Just missed theme"
The picture has a good POV and is well composed, and as Ivan mention it is not often we See this species on TN.
And you note are well written with a lots of humour.
Well done, my friend.

Hi Ram,
really interesting post You've made, without a note I wouldn't even try to write something about it. Composition and bird are ok, rest is good example of unsucesfull image;), blurred details, overexposed light and poor colours. My points for very good note and Your hinesty.
Cheers!
Adrian

  • Great 
  • Swats Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 37 W: 0 N: 44] (488)
  • [2008-06-04 7:38]
  • [+]

I smiled after reading your note and not the image:)Infact for some reason I like this capture. I looks a little like a painting to me!

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2465 W: 168 N: 7448] (23526)
  • [2008-06-04 7:42]

Hello Ram,
Well, there's no mistaking that this is a Cormorant!! The pose and the slender long shape is rather typical. You certainly have a hint of the colours there too! And I like the rings on the water beyond. Considering the situation and your frustration its really good!!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

Well my friend, your lone cormorant looks quite pathetic from here, but still a beautiful bird a little backlighted by that glare on the water. The greenish tinges on its head feathers and the fine plumage patterns of its resting wings are quite nice. Altogether an eye-catching composition Ram.
(Couldn't comment on your recent posts Ram, I was away for a week and after this weekend I won't be able to reach internet for a few months...)
Mehmet

Well as for Pierre, I will give you not only one point for work and comments, but two for such...and a half point for the bird which will have to come in words and thought only:-)
Bob

  • Great 
  • rcrick Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 627 W: 42 N: 1150] (3720)
  • [2008-06-04 18:23]

Ok Ok,

Now that I’ve stopped laughing at your note and your wonderful humor, If I had the power you would have 100 similes for brightening up my morning, how many of us have grabbed a shot in the hope it would turn out fine, then the realization if only ! well I'll be the first to say I've had so many "If only" moments you wouldn’t believe it, well worth the post purely because we have all been there, and well worth the little green smiley, all the best Ram,

Cheers Rick :)

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 40 N: 730] (2302)
  • [2008-06-05 2:39]

Dear sir,
Welll you got one with the wings closed, and the lone cormorant that i got was with wings opened. I thought it came out well when i looked at in the camera but once i saw it in my computer i realised how desperate i was to get the cormorant and happy with terribly lit up shot.So count me in on that account....and imagine as i go around with my p&S i have even lesser chances of getting a clean shot.Infact i have stopped chasing birds now completely unless they are kind enough to give me a photo-op.
That said i must mention to you that this is indeed a very nice composition. I like the way the single branch juts out on to the water and you have got the cormorant perched on top of it centrally in the picture.The details on the plumage also show up very well.And the sunlight falling on the water almost creates a profile of the cormorant.
Thanks for sharing this and cheers

Dear Sir,
A nice and humourous note from you. The picture is not at all bad; may be not up to your satisfaction. May be your day tour to Okhla failed because of the weather and the money you had spend that day was not worthy. During day time the local residents, mostly youngsters spoil the zone riding motorcycle or scooters on that patch of road beside some office goers use that road as shortcut. The forest staff so far failed to stop them and never capable to charge them. So most of the birds avoid the area and move to the opposite bank during day time. And about the picture…. I have many photographs worse than your shot, but I have to preserve for records.

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