White Pelican Incoming


Posted by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:25 pm

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On the evening of November 24, 2018, a school of baitfish surfaced near my boat. Across the lake, a flock of white pelicans noticed the splashing baitfish and flew directly at us. It was one of those rare occasions when my presence in a boat appeared not to matter. They just kept coming straight in toward us. Before I knew it, I had way too much lens to be shooting close-in at birds with a nine foot wingspan. This is one of the favorite images I captured before they got in too close to photograph. Please click on the image to view it full size. Thank you.


Nikon D500, Nikkor 500mm + 1.4x, f/8 @ 1/2500, ISO 400, Gitzo Tripod, Wimberley Head II, boat as blind.

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by David Salem on Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:20 pm
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What a great experiance you had on your boat Ron!! I love these big B52s and this guy looks like he means business!!
Nice incoming landing shot with lots of action, details and water splashing.   Well done
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by Mike in O on Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:25 pm
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A little soft but a fun pic.
 

by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 7:56 pm
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Mike in O wrote:A little soft but a fun pic.
With all due respect to an avian photographer of your caliber, Mike, please elaborate on where you find the image “soft,” and in what respect you specifically find the image “fun?” Or, could it be that these terms came to mind simply because they are frequently used by others who critique your avian photographs?
 

by SantaFeJoe on Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:20 pm
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So nice when clicked on. The eye and the splashing water, especially the frothy water near the bird, make it special.

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by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:22 pm
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David Salem wrote:What a great experiance you had on your boat Ron!! I love these big B52s and this guy looks like he means business!!
Nice incoming landing shot with lots of action, details and water splashing.   Well done
I very much appreciate your input, David. Thank you.
 

by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:26 pm
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SantaFeJoe wrote:So nice when clicked on. The eye and the splashing water, especially the frothy water near the bird, make it special.

Joe
Thanks, Joe. I greatly appreciate your taking the time to comment. I agree, the frothy water really comes to life when the image is viewed large.
 

by Dan Kearl on Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:29 pm
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Large image just pops in your face, Ron!
Excellent low angle and the whites are handled beautifully in sun
which is tough...
Nice.
 

by Mike in O on Tue Oct 29, 2019 8:42 pm
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The eye is soft but is to be expected with such a large bird with many focus points...using a cropped camera as I do many times (even more so with the rx10IV) it is expected that DOF will cover the whole bird. If I can't comment as you do with my photos, what is the point.
 

by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 10:49 pm
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Dan Kearl wrote:Large image just pops in your face, Ron!
Excellent low angle and the whites are handled beautifully in sun
which is tough...
Nice.
I appreciate your comments, Dan. Thanks.
 

by Ron Day on Tue Oct 29, 2019 11:52 pm
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Mike in O wrote:The eye is soft but is to be expected with such a large bird with many focus points...
Nonsense.
 

by david fletcher on Wed Oct 30, 2019 2:22 am
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Top drawer. Awesome experience for you Ron. thank you for sharing. Must be viewed large!
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by KK Hui on Wed Oct 30, 2019 2:25 am
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What an opportunity and experience you had for this terrific shot, Ron!
Love the splash and the raised wing pose ...
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by Carol Clarke on Wed Oct 30, 2019 4:58 am
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This must be clicked on to see the full size!  Wonderful action, perfect perspective for maximum effect, perfect exposure for the difficult white plumage and water in the sun, and sharp as a tack from top to toe!  As good as it gets, Ron - you have captured the essence and character of these amazing birds so well.  Brilliant image, absolutely First Class and I Love it!  :)

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by peter makuch on Wed Oct 30, 2019 9:43 am
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the perfect place at the wright time to get this wonderful landing pose, well exposed as-well RON.
 

by Nate Chappell on Wed Oct 30, 2019 5:30 pm
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Cool landing shot Ron, nice action with the splashing water and open wings.
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by Ron Day on Wed Oct 30, 2019 7:26 pm
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david fletcher wrote:Top drawer.  Awesome experience for you Ron.  thank you for sharing.  Must be viewed large!
I appreciate your kind words, Dave. Thanks.
 

by Ron Day on Wed Oct 30, 2019 7:27 pm
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KK Hui wrote:What an opportunity and experience you had for this terrific shot, Ron!
Love the splash and the raised wing pose ...
Thanks for your kind reply, KK. Very much appreciated.
 

by Ron Day on Wed Oct 30, 2019 7:31 pm
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Carol Clarke wrote:This must be clicked on to see the full size!  Wonderful action, perfect perspective for maximum effect, perfect exposure for the difficult white plumage and water in the sun, and sharp as a tack from top to toe!  As good as it gets, Ron - you have captured the essence and character of these amazing birds so well.  Brilliant image, absolutely First Class and I Love it!  :)

Carol.
I always look forward to your insightful thoughts and comments, Carol. Thank you. 
 

by Ron Day on Wed Oct 30, 2019 7:32 pm
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peter makuch wrote:the perfect place at the wright time to get this wonderful landing pose, well exposed as-well RON.
I’m pleased you like it, Peter. Thank you.
 

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