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Long John Silver


Long John Silver
Photo Information
Copyright: Callie de Wet (Callie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1101 W: 95 N: 2610] (7555)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-05-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, Sigma 120-300 F2.8
Exposure: f/8, 1/800 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Herons, & Egrests, 40-49 Points (Chapter 2) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-01-17 23:52
Viewed: 5729
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson features the one-legged pirate, Long John Silver. Now this Johnny has his one leg pulled-up in typical bird fashion, resting? the leg perhaps! I have been visiting Marievale for about the last five years. This is an incredible wetland on the East Rand of Gauteng, near Springs. There are five brilliant hides from where it is possible to photograph the water-birds going about their business, blissfully unawares of the adrenalin rush sometimes created by the sight of a special species. It is and Important Bird Site and also a Ramsar Site. This means that it is internationally recognised and managed with the wellbeing of the wetland and its residents as number one priority. We have encountered more than 80 species of birds here on a single summer day. Most of the water birds of our region may be encountered here from time to time. This heron has been on my wishlist - do some of you wonder when this wish list will come to an end? - for a long time, but its skulking way of moving in the reeds makes it difficult to get a clean shot, because its colouring makes it melt into the reeds. This morning, as I opened the shutters of the hide, he was sitting 6 m away on one of the perches specially placed there for the convenience of photographers by the Site Management. Needles to say, I was firing before the tripod hit the deck, with no time to attach the flash. Got maybe five shots before he jumped down into the grass, where the ubiquitous “reed across the bill” features on the following ten pictures.
Squacco Heron – Ardeola rallooides – 40-46 cm. A common resident to vegetated margins of freashwater lakes slow moving rivers and wetlands. The bill turns blue during breeding, and it develops a lovely crest hanging ponytail-like down his neck. This is the smallest white heron in our region. The juvenile and immature are browner on the mantle and more heavily streaked below than the adult. In-flight, the all-white underwings are visible.
ISO 200; Nikon D70; Sigma 120-300 F2.8 lens and 2X converter @ 550 mm; 1/800 @ F8 and -0,7 EV; Aperture Mode; no flash - Pattern Metering Mode; Tripod and Wimberley Head; Cropped 2 cm from behind heron; reduced to Site size.
khris_rino, willie, ellis49, jhm, coasties, JeanMichel, Mluc, red45, Janice, marhowie, Fisher, extramundi, Luc, Lesley has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fisher: ThanksCallie 2 01-18 14:36
To netfalls: WS - thanksCallie 1 01-18 13:28
To gerhardt: WSCallie 1 01-18 13:24
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Critiques [Translate]

I like the title, very fitting, and I like the photo. Good sharp clear detail, very neutral background, and a very striking eye. Good one Callie.

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 893 W: 0 N: 507] (1853)
  • [2005-01-18 2:14]

Een nieuwe schilderij Callie, zeer mooi geplaatst, en met een poot ingetrokken, de veren liggen mooi glad gestreken, en de kleuren van deze vogel zijn mooi aangepast, u blijft voor mij in dit thema de grootte fotograaf.
Groeten uit België,
John.

What a catch! It such a lovely bird, Callie. Excellent composition and pose. (those needles helps) The exposure is a bit low key but when reading your note I understand why. Nice touch with the title.
I dared a WS to try out a new technic Mike (Fisher) told me off. Please tell me what you think.

Composition: ****
Sharpness: ****
Color: ****
DOF: ****
POV: ****

A master shot, just a wee bit more light on the bird would have been better.
Well done.
TFS.

  • Great 
  • radz Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 598 W: 11 N: 72] (436)
  • [2005-01-18 4:03]

Very sharp details.Nice notes to understood ,how you took the shot.

He is so angry on you??? You did't affraid of his eyes? Great picture!

Great shot of Long John Silver Callie.
The eye is very sharp.
Great details, pose, composition and colours.
Ecxellent and informatibe note too.
Great work.

Points later, spend all dimes.

Clever title Callie. Good POV. I too find it a lttle dark, but great shot all the same. TFS

Nice tribute to Jefferson Airplane too, Callie. Very good, and as I read, lucky shot. I wish I could catch some birds of your wishing list here, but they are not common residents :((. Looks like an early morning shot. Worth while getting up for that! Well done, nice soft colors and beautiful pose.

One legged one eye one beautiful image

  • Great 
  • Mluc Silver Star Critiquer [C: 11 W: 0 N: 0] (16)
  • [2005-01-18 5:05]

C'est une tres bell photo, juste un peu trop sombre.

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2636 W: 74 N: 9091] (31094)
  • [2005-01-18 5:10]

Old pirate on the guard. Perfect quality and composition. Very nice bird. Good story in your note Callie.

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2005-01-18 5:13]

Long John Silver against the grey/silver sky - all tones in well Callie. Lovely image and clear details, Well done.

Very good !! you were lucky :D great colours, very sharp, good compo.. Well done !

Bravo Callie. Beautiful image. Nice looking specimen and good notes. Very well done

Wonderful shot Callie! There is nothing I can add to the praise so far. Great note..A favorite!!

Old man long john from trek e, eh? I remember him when I first joined. Can't miss this fellow. Excelent capture. The lighting is just right for this fellow."rrrrr 3 degrees starboard, walk the plank."!!!

Mike

Strange shot :D I like it, it has an artistic point with that lighting and the grey BG. Nice details too.
Great title and note, as always. Thanks Callie!

Another fabulous image and analogy. I do like the two workshops done on Long John.... it needed a little brightening.

  • Great 
  • Luc Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1835 W: 301 N: 4287] (14767)
  • [2005-01-19 20:28]

We would say a Black-crowned night-Heron with a different plumage and eyes color, Callie. But they have the same look.
You seem to like the remote plans. At the moment, I like more closer plans.
This bird is impressive on its diagonal perch.
Thanks

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1814 W: 100 N: 1904] (5187)
  • [2005-01-22 12:57]

Hiedie is pragtig, en nogsteeds op my wishlist! The is is a great capture, but I especially like the composition. Very well done.

Groetnis

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