Marking One Year in Bird Photography Today


Posted by Heather Forcier on Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:46 am

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© Heather Forcier, all rights reserved

American White Pelican
Texas Gulf Coast


A year ago today, and on Labor Day weekend, I started bird photography with migratory shorebirds at a small creek near my home. Although this particular image has appeared several places before, I have heard it is one of my most recognized bird images so I felt it was a good way to mark the occasion.

Greg and I visited the Corpus Christi, Texas area in April of this year. We came across some American White Pelicans and photographed them for a while in cloudy conditions with flash. When the clouds broke for just a few minutes, I was ready – changed my settings and waited for this particular bird to catch the light at what I thought would be the right angle.

For those curious about the horn on the bird's bill, both genders of the American White Pelican develop this plate as part of their breeding plumage. It falls off not long after the eggs are laid.

Digital capture with Canon 1D
Canon 500mm f/4 with 1.4x teleconverter
Manually metered at 1/500 and f/16
Flash at -1.7
ISO 250
Tripod

Image comments/critiques appreciated!
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by Matthew Whitley on Sat Aug 30, 2003 8:51 am
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Heather,
Awesome shot! You've come a long way in one year! Congrats!
Matthew :lol:
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by Sandy Mossberg on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:08 am
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Fantastic shot, Heather. Thanks for letting us see it again.
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by Rich S on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:18 am
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Love the shot before and love it now. Very nice light & love the way it catches the blue eye. (And boy is that horn ugly!)

Rich
 

by Chris Fagyal on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:39 am
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Beautiful shot heather. The detail in all of the whites is exquisite indeed!
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by Alan Murphy on Sat Aug 30, 2003 10:12 am
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Heather, your learning curve is incredible. Can't imagine the work you'll be putting out in a few more years. Congrats.

This is one incredible bird photo. The little water droplet at the end of the bill, puts it over the top.
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by Bruce DiVaccaro on Sat Aug 30, 2003 10:22 am
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Heather,

This is an excellent shot. Very sharp and perfectly exposed.
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by Paul Fusco on Sat Aug 30, 2003 10:49 am
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Heather -

Great exposure. Could not get more detail out of this one.
The darker BG makes it pop big time.

Very nice!

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by Jill on Sat Aug 30, 2003 11:12 am
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Heather, Hearty congrats on this super image and your milestone!! You are obviously a quick learner!! Have you any recommendation for a good instructor? Keep up the great work, gal. 8)
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by Karen S on Sat Aug 30, 2003 12:07 pm
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This is beautiful Heather. Perfect exposure and love the head position. Great shot!
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by Jim Neely on Sat Aug 30, 2003 12:13 pm
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You sure know how to hurt a guy. Your work after a year is wonderful.

The detail in the feathers is wonderful.

jn
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by DMcLarty on Sat Aug 30, 2003 12:26 pm
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Very Nice Heather. Being prepared made the shot.

And what a year it has been hey. Take some time to relax...You deserve it. You have worked very hard in so many projects.

Heres to many more :D
The McLarty's :)
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by Bruce Sherman on Sat Aug 30, 2003 1:18 pm
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Heather,
I have seen this one before, and I still think it is terrific. Great job.
 

by Bob Ettinger on Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:03 pm
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Heather,

Really nice and that light is great on this white bird. Happy Anniversary
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by Mike Wilson on Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:45 pm
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It doesn't get better than this. Congratulations on your 1st year chasing the birds. They are fascinating creatures to watch and learn from. Keep up the good work.
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by Greg Downing on Sat Aug 30, 2003 5:16 pm
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Congrats on the milestone and this image demonstrates how far you have progressed. It gets no better :)
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by KK Hui on Sat Aug 30, 2003 7:35 pm
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A beautiful classic pose of this AWP. Very well done! You should be proud of your achievement, Heather! :lol:
Who says avian photography is difficult ... :wink:
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by Fero on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:26 pm
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It's a beauty!

All the best to the following years,

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by Laura Stiefel on Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:32 pm
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Hi Heather. This is a gorgeous image. I was as impressed with it the first time I saw it as I am now. The crisp white bird on the silky water that fades into blur, the vibrant yellows, and that blue eye are just beautiful.

I can remember some of your first shorebird posts and have to say that I am totally envious of how quickly you have progressed! :twisted:
Seriously, Your posts have been a real inspiration over the last year and I look forward to every one I open.
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by Juli Wilcox on Sun Aug 31, 2003 11:39 am
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Congrats, Heather! Marvelous photo with perfect exposure and detail. Love the baby blues of this (and other) species!
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