<< Previous Next >>

Juvenile Coot


Juvenile Coot
Photo Information
Copyright: Mish Maggs (Finland_in_Eton) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 22 N: 227] (874)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-06-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Minolta Dimage Z1
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-24 6:19
Viewed: 637
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Young coots are by far, in my estimation, the ugliest chicks around. They start life with bright red and yellow fuzzy heads that make them look like escapees from a clown circus. In a short time they grow into the nondescript, scruffy gray seen in this photo. Eventually they mature and become a lovely charcoal grey/black with that startlingly white face sheild. Along with moorhens they are my favorite waterfowl. I've gotten more pleasure watching the antics of both these big footed chunky birds than any others.

Coots have peculiar lobed feet that are described as being greenish in my bird books. I've seen them in various shades of green and gray and at one location, I swear, there was a whole family of coots with what looked like pastel, baby blue feet. Unfortunately they were too far away for my little Minolta to get any decent pictures.

This youngster and a sibling were grazing, if that's the proper term for a bird, on the grass a few dozen feet away from me. They were on a slight rise so I didn't even have to lay down to get this level shot of them.

It's not all that good a photo, and any suggestions as to how to improve it are always welcome. I did run this through Paint Shop Pro Photo XI to remove the digital noise and improve the foreground contrast and brightness. The grass was washed out and this is the best I could do without the coot becoming too dark. I also used the color fade tool, which took out an overall greenish tinge.
Adanac, Argus, dew77, zenitlady, Robbrown, marhowie has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1048 W: 1 N: 4156] (13964)
  • [2007-02-24 8:01]

Hi Michele,
Great capture with fine detail, good color and point of view. Michele, you are so correct in your comment about these chicks' appearances, a face only mom could love.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494] (23373)
  • [2007-02-24 13:17]

Hello Michele,
Actually I don't think this is a bad shot at all. It is sharp, the lighting is good, it is well composed and this juvenile contrasts well with the BG. Having said that, young coots are not the most beautiful subjects but they can be fascinating to watch with their parents.
TFS,
Regards, Ivan

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5171 W: 297 N: 4050] (13069)
  • [2007-02-25 7:37]

Hello Michele,
Wonderful capture.I liked low level POV,details,catchlight in eyes,framing and composition a lot.
TFS..:-)

Hello Michele! Love the portrait, love the framing. I think you did a great job with the PP! Great POV to emphasize those long legs. Very well done! Linda

Hi Michele,
I like most the low POV and composition in your closeup. Very good details with the BG well OOF.
Great shot!

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 866] (3283)
  • [2007-03-06 17:31]

This is a very nice shot of the young Coot, it is difficult to get good contrast and tone on the feathers, no matter how the light is. I have to say I have not, so far, seen one so good. Great contrast, shapness and DOF. A fine composition.
tfs
debz

Excellent composition, and the frame match the bird:-))

  • Great 
  • akazemi (111)
  • [2007-06-26 17:23]

Hi Michele
Great shot with good sharpnes & detail
well done

Abdolreza

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF