Something you haven't seen before
Hi Y'all,
One of my favorite subjects down here in Florida is the limpkin
The limpkin is a rather unique bird in as much as it is the only member of its family and has no close relatives among other birds. It is almost exclusively found in Florida. You can hear its call here http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio/Limpkin.html
I know you're saying so what you have posted limpkin shots before. This limpkin is different because its the parent of 6 of these little ones
The limpkins favorite food is the apple snail and the parents' time is taken up feeding the young and teaching them the tools of the limpkin trade
Here one the parents has bagged a snail
The hatchling is a tad excited
The parent removes the snail from its shell for the hatchling
Then its chow time for the hatchling while the parent keeps a close eye on the proceedings
Then its off with the brood looking for more snails
One of my favorite subjects down here in Florida is the limpkin
The limpkin is a rather unique bird in as much as it is the only member of its family and has no close relatives among other birds. It is almost exclusively found in Florida. You can hear its call here http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio/Limpkin.html
I know you're saying so what you have posted limpkin shots before. This limpkin is different because its the parent of 6 of these little ones
The limpkins favorite food is the apple snail and the parents' time is taken up feeding the young and teaching them the tools of the limpkin trade
Here one the parents has bagged a snail
The hatchling is a tad excited
The parent removes the snail from its shell for the hatchling
Then its chow time for the hatchling while the parent keeps a close eye on the proceedings
Then its off with the brood looking for more snails
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Comments
John Slone
Thank you Andy and thank you for taking the time to comment
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
uh,
I stand corrected! these would make a great childrens story.. or spread in a kids magazine.. you realise that, dontcha? The green is so green and the blue is so blue!
Im so impressed!
Yvette
usual stuff.
Lets see here...Rare birds: check
Technically proficient shot: check
Composition showing said proficiently shot rare bird during its daily struggle for survival: check
So, pretty much SOP for you Harry
Another wonderful series!
-j
Thank you very much.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Great behavior shots of the mom feeding the babies.
SmugMug Technical Account Manager
Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
nickwphoto
These images are a joy to see!
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Thanks Russ. I've been shooting limpkins for over two years now and this is the first time I've seen their chicks so it was a thrill.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
it's one thing to get great photos-
and it's another thing to have a neat story line with your pictures-
but to have both!?!-
just a neat, excellent thread-
george
Thanks John. Those little ones are cute. It is interesting that they start foraging from the moment they leave the shell.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Love the shots but......
At the risk of getting stoned by the populace might I humbly offer a suggestion. De-saturate the yellow and hue to give the grass more of a green tone and less in-your-face.
Granted I'm out of my realm with this comment - so if the suggestion is totally bogus please straighten me out.
"Tis better keep your mouth shut and be thought of as an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
Thanks and these chicks start the cute season at the wtelands. The black-bellied whistling ducks have returned and we should have some ducklings before too long.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Harry,
I love these pics! You certainly have mastered your talent...
Get these published!!!
Russ
Thanks, very oftten I see behavior in my subjects that reminds me of similar behaviors among folks I know:D
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Guess I ruffled some feathers
"Tis better keep your mouth shut and be thought of as an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
Not at all. You brought up an excellent point and one that I hassled with in my post work. I was shooting dark subjects against a lighter background in very harsh light. The initial shots had many blown out areas in the leaves where the sun was reflecting off them. I culled a goodly number of shots because of that.
I didn't increase the saturation of the colors in the post work. When I knocked down the saturation the limpkins didn't stand out as well as in the shots where I didn't adjust the saturation. I also tried to do a layer mask and knock down the exposure on the background with the same less than satisfactory results. In the end I decided that it was better to have the brighter and more saturated background with the subjects standing out better.
I hope to return to these shots when I have more time to spend on the post work and see if I can improve them.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thank you Thusie. I just knew you would pick up on the cute angle.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
:uhoh :yikes :jawdrop
:lol4
Thank you so much Yvette. A number of folks have relayed their children's reactions to these pics to me. My granddaughters really liked them too. I think the theme of parents teaching and nurturing their young strikes a very responsive chord. March of the Pelicans was a very successful documentary film about a similar topic.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
I've tried on a couple of occasions and thought it was fun. Not much different than hunting in theory (sneaking through the woods or staking out a good spot) except for the harvest.
Unfortunately my equipment was more like a bow when I needed a rifle.
"Tis better keep your mouth shut and be thought of as an idiot than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
Thanks Ian. Every once in awhile I'll bump against the cute line.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"