Groove-billed Ani Portrait

Very cool shot. I have not seen this bird.

Neat portrait, and the insect adds to it, Gene!

Nice looking portrait, Gene.

Beautiful frame on this lovely bird !

Nice shot, Gene. Have a question. I've seen and photographed many Groove-billed Anis in south TX and every one I have seen/photographed is glossy black. Your ani pics,including ones you have posted before, show the bird to be more brownish. Are you doing something with the exposure or post processing to create this brownish color?

Bruce Sherman wrote:Nice shot, Gene. Have a question. I've seen and photographed many Groove-billed Anis in south TX and every one I have seen/photographed is glossy black. Your ani pics,including ones you have posted before, show the bird to be more brownish. Are you doing something with the exposure or post processing to create this brownish color?

Bruce,  When I see an Ani in South Texas flying around, it looks more "really dark" than black.  This was taken at a pretty close range and also to my surprise, the "really dark" colors are more of a combination of different types (colors) of feathers.  This photo was processed in LR and the dark tone was set at -15 and the darks in the region was at 0.  So I actually increased the dark tones slightly and did not change the region.  I do very little manipulation to photos.  The only thing I try to do is make the image look the same as I saw it when it was photographed.  I have to say that I agree with your assessment, but I do not have an explanation.   

Great bird and detailed portrait Gene!

Excellent portrait with details.

Wowwwww!!! What a portrait !!!!! just great.