<< Previous Next >>

Out for a Stroll


Out for a Stroll
Photo Information
Copyright: John Plumb (JPlumb) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 637 W: 166 N: 889] (2884)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D200, NIKKOR AF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 ED DX VR
Exposure: f/8, 1/125 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-07-16 16:51
Viewed: 816
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Dusky Moorhen can be found in Indonesia, New Guinea and Australia. It is very widespread in eastern and south-western Australia. I found mine in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney. They prefer wetlands, including swamps, rivers and artificial waterways. They prefer open water and water margins with reeds, rushes and waterlilies but may be found on grasses close to water, such as parks, pastures and lawns.

They feed in the water or on land on algae, water plants and grasses but will also eat seeds, fruits and small invertebrates. When feeding on water, they will not dive. Its tail is always visible above the water when upended.

During breeding season, this bird forms breeding groups of two to seven birds with all members defending territory, building nests and looking after the young. The shallow platform nests are made of reeds and other water plants over water. Two or more females will lay their eggs in the same nest and all members of the group help to incubate the eggs and feed the young.

When I shot this bird it was later afternoon. I used a flash though I think I might have anyway. I had a bad experience shooting coots and not seeing the eye after. They too have a dark eye on a dark body. Getting that eye then was my first priority.

Much of this from: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=195
ID from: Simpson K. and Day N. (2004), Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Penguin Books, Camberwell.


Workflow for this shot was as follows:
Shot in Raw - NEF files adjusted for exposure and shadow
Adjusted levels
Adjusted curves for contrast - slight
Dodged and burned with overlay layer (5% opacity black and white brush)
Created a layer for selective noise reduction (on the grass)
Added a layer for sharpening and “over-sharpened” with USM
Modified sharpening with a layer mask (30% opacity black brush)
Saved as a tiff
For this post, cropped, sharpened edges, framed, and saved as a jpeg
Ken52, Mariol, gypsygirl58, pablominto, deblink, SelenE, rousettus, mlines, pierrefonds 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 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 640 W: 98 N: 1241] (4189)
  • [2007-07-16 17:16]

Excellent sharpness and nice detail in the difficult black. Nice catchlight in eye. Good composition.

  • Great 
  • trinko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 593 W: 79 N: 323] (4314)
  • [2007-07-16 19:11]

nice action capture good focus colors are a little harsh due to the flash.

  • Great 
  • Mariol Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 159 W: 10 N: 1173] (5132)
  • [2007-07-16 20:01]

Hi JOhn,
Good picture of this Coot. Very good use of the flash. Nice details on the dark plumage.
Regards, Mario

Hi John,
Great close-up of this Moorhen! Got a few pics of these fellows myself lately from the wetlands! Excellent sharpness and details on the black! Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

Hello John,
Good details in the plumage, black birds can be tricky to photograph!
Composition is simple but nice, good movement in the frame...
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi John,
I have one of these Moorhen's to post too, yours is great. The blue on its wings shows up well. Nice composition.
Cheers,
Debbie

beau portrait, bravo pour la couleur et les détails
Nad

  • Great 
  • cam Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 87 W: 0 N: 78] (360)
  • [2007-07-17 14:42]

Very good John
I have never succeded at approching one of these as close as you have.
Good sharpness and colors.
I am a little disturbed by the shadow caused by the flash,but this is minor but to be clone out if you want to print it.
Good work
Charles

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-07-17 19:50]

Hello John

The focus and sharpness are very good.The plumage detail shows well with very good use of flash fill.dark plumage can be so hard to capture well,but no problem here.Very nicely done.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2405 W: 63 N: 4227] (13822)
  • [2007-07-18 6:13]

Hi John,
Nice close-up shot of this moorhen with a fine POV, focus and composition. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

Hi John,
Greeting for your 50th post. Nice focus and details. Nicely composed. Colors and BG very well. TFS
well done
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • mlines Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 541 W: 24 N: 596] (2870)
  • [2007-08-06 16:26]

Hi John. Very clean composition of this strong-legged Dusky Moorhen .It looks to be a cousin of the NZ Pukaka swamp fowl. Excellent colours and notes. TFS. Murray.

Hi John,

A good POV of the dusky moorhen, the photo has a good composition, sharpness and nice colors. Thanks for sharing.

Pierre

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF