Yawn for a gray day. [Contest Finalists January 2004]
Uploaded: January 10, 2004 06:35:11
Roseate Spoonbill at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. On my drive to Merritt Island on Jan. 9 to test out my new Digital Rebel, the skies turned an 18% gray in advance of a cool front. I arrived in Merritt Island and saw more birds there than I have ever seen. I was bemoaning the lack of good light and my pitiful 300mm telephoto when I rounded a corner and my jaw dropped. There were 4 low mangroves each with three roseate spoonbills. I love Pink on gray!
Paula Lechten January 10, 2004
Raw image cropped with a little Flaming Pear added to get rid of foreground twigs. There were other photographers with humungous lenses and I wanted to shout. Is anybody out there from BP. Perhaps that is what this roseate is saying! #86528Patricia A. Kuniega January 10, 2004
Pink on Gray would make another great title Paula! This is heavenly and regardless of your lens size, you did a fabulous job with the composition and reflection in this one! Gray skies were definitely smiling on you!I wish the weather forecasters would say "Skies are 18% gray today..." : ) #325483
Kasia Elser January 10, 2004
I agree with Patricia - nicely done! #325517Stephen Zacker January 10, 2004
Really Nice.. Like the reflection very much! #325549Kathleen Clemons January 10, 2004
You really used the gray skies to your advantage, Paula! This is great! #325555Kathleen F. Greer January 10, 2004
Beautiful shot on a gray day! Love the colors!! #325607Colette M. Metcalf January 10, 2004
Beautiful image!! #325641Paula Lechten January 10, 2004
Thank you Patricia, Kasia, Stephen, Kathleens C and G. Including an Ansel Adams zone evaluation during a weather forcast would be a nice touch. This morning in sunny Florida is was about a zone 3. I can't complain when I read of the frozen northeast. Love that sea fog in Maine. #325643Susan T. Evans January 10, 2004
This is great Paula, I love the pink on grey, works really well together, and perfect timing on the capture! #325919Stanley J. Contrades January 10, 2004
We're going to see this one again!!! I hope that Jim doesn't mind my quoting a sentence or two from his book, "The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Taking Great Photos", in which he says, "Work with the weather; don't allow it to stop you. When the day is beautiful, go ahead and make the most of it. If not, find ways to use bad weather to your advantage." Looks like you did just that, Paula, and this is one to be hung on a wall. Excellent work.#325950
Gary W. Lake January 10, 2004
Beautiful! #325966Paula Lechten January 10, 2004
Thank you Colette, Susan, Stanley and Gary, Due to operator error, the camera listed is incorrect, image was taken with my new digital Rebel. #326002Susie Peek-Swint January 10, 2004
Wonderful image Paula ~ pink on grey is a great combination! #326063Frederick A. Franzella January 10, 2004
Really looks great! love the reflection #326185Susana Matos January 10, 2004
Perfect photo! Seems like we´ll see this again!!Carolyn Whiteside January 10, 2004
My first feeling was WOW; then one of great envy. I know how exciting it is to get a great picture when conditions aren't perfect. Congrats on a great photo. #326290Paula Lechten January 10, 2004
Thank you Susan, Freddy, Susana and Carolyn. It is a thrill to share my experiences and love of nature with people across the "pond" We are really "only a little planet". #326340Carol Brill January 10, 2004
Absolutely awesome shot, Paula, the clarity, balance, and elegant simplicity of composition combine to make this a showstopper!! #326569Evy Johansen January 10, 2004
Sooooo beautiful, Paula! Very elegant! #326636Leanne M.E. Boyd January 11, 2004
Simple, elegant, and well shot! This has an oriental feel to it. #327027Ann Texter January 12, 2004
Gorgeous image, the pink on grey works! Thank goodness for clouds! :) #328418Patricia A. Kuniega February 15, 2004
Well Paula, I knew it would be in the finals and I have a feeling this one will go further! Good luck and congratulations on such a super work of art! #378287Kathleen Clemons February 15, 2004
Congratulations to you, Paula! #378646Stephen Zacker February 15, 2004
Congrats Paula on a well deserved Beautiful, Creative image! #378669Kathleen F. Greer February 15, 2004
Big congrats to you Paula!! #378764Paula Lechten February 15, 2004
Thank you Patricia, Kathleen C, Stephen and Kathleen G. I am honored because you guys are such great photographers. #379290Susan T. Evans February 15, 2004
CONGRATS PAULA, WONDERFUL! #379432Cathy Barrows February 15, 2004
Congrats!...great shot of this spoonbill #379509Cathy Barrows February 15, 2004
Have you been to pelican island at Sebastian #379511Mary K. Robison February 15, 2004
Congratulations on this photo making the finals ~ you deserve it! #379637Evy Johansen February 16, 2004
Many congratulations, Paula! Very well deserved! #380075Gary W. Lake February 16, 2004
Congrats! #380832Carolyn Whiteside February 16, 2004
Congratulations!! #381002Paula Lechten February 16, 2004
Thank you Susan, Cathy, Mary, Evy, Gary and Carolyn. I live 9 miles from Pelican Island (America's first refuge but neglected for years), Cathy. With more tlc and funding, this is going to be a wonderful place for birders and photographers.Carol Brill February 16, 2004
Paula, Congratulations and best of luck! #381701Carolyn Whiteside February 16, 2004
Sounds wonderful! #381838Peggy Wolff February 16, 2004
Beautiful! I can not believe how still the water is! #382003Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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