Everything isn’t perfect here but the more I look at this image the more it grabs me.
When it comes to bird photography, my own especially, I often (usually?) prefer images that are “interesting” over those that are just “beautiful”. Sure I like bird photos that are stunning works of art where the bird is in perfect light, the setting is as attractive as the bird and all the rules of composition are adhered to. But I prefer an image that seduces my interest and makes me wonder about things in the photo – how did that color happen? or why is the bird doing what it’s doing? or what caused that reflection? or how did that bird even DO that?
In short, my favorite photos tend to be those that are interesting for reasons other than just beauty. They’re photos I actually want to study to kind of figure things out – my eye almost has no choice.
For me, this photo taken two days ago of a White-faced Ibis landing in the frozen marsh of Farmington Bay WMA fits neatly into that category – an image that almost demands my interest, attention and even curiosity.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
My first impression wasn’t all that good, probably because the setting isn’t particularly attractive. But while reviewing and culling my ibis shots from that morning I kept coming back to this one and each time I’d notice something new that was of interest to me as a photographer, a scientist by training and experience, a bird lover or just an involved observer. They include the following:
- Of course one of the first things I noticed is the wing iridescence with colorful pinks in the secondaries of the left wing and greens in the primaries of the right. How did that happen and why the color difference? Do the same feathers always iridesce the same colors or does it depend on the light angle, feather structure or something else? I may know the answers to some of those questions but the magic of the process still intrigues me.
- The ibis is sharp and with this background for a bird in flight I was pleasantly surprised. In fact I have a whole series of shots of this landing ibis and they’re all sharp (though in a couple of them the bird is too close to the edge of the frame).
- To my eye the 3D effect of the image is pretty dramatic and I wonder why that effect happens when it does and why it doesn’t when it doesn’t. Is it actual or does it depend on the individual viewer’s perception?
- I think the landing posture of the ibis is both ungainly and beautiful. And in a testament to the wonders and efficiency of evolution I marvel that a bird of this shape and these proportions is usually so graceful in typical flight.
- One of the last things I noticed as I studied the image was the yellow reflections of phragmites on the water. Those reflections are interrupted by the ice in a way that wouldn’t happen in water only. In fact, there’s a line of interruption beneath and in front of the bird’s feet that is so straight it could have been drawn with a ruler, which is something we don’t often see in nature. If I didn’t know better I’d wonder if it was a result of an amateurish cloning job by the photographer as he/she was processing the photo.
Ok, as I sometimes do I’ve belabored my point so it’s time to quit.
But it almost goes without saying that any interest you may have in this image depends at least in part on your perspectives and interests. Someone else might take a photo of a domestic cat jumping through the air after a stuffed mouse that has just as many interesting qualities but it would likely get a big ho-hum from me, in part because I have little interest in cat photos and I think cats are way overdone on the internet anyway (just like some cat lovers probably perceive all the bird photos some of us post).
Another one of those “in the eye of the beholder” things.
Ron
Sensational shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Another great shot! I love the wing positions and how the legs and feet have the same metallic sheen found in the feathers. I’d never noticed that on an ibis before.
I was fortunate to spend time in Centennial Valley last summer, which is how I came upon your blog. While there I captured several shots of white-faced ibis at the bridge off Lower Lake Rd. Later when reviewing my pics I noticed the surrounding vegetation held the same rose and green tones found in the bird’s feathers. I have to think it was more than coincidence. Amazing how often photos reveal “something new of interest” that was missed in the field!
Thanks, Julie. Your mention of the lower lake brings back many, many wonderful memories of camping there and using that spot as our starting point to look for birds all day long for many days on end.
Wow, that bird has some amazing colors. White-faced Ibis: another bird name that confounds me. It should be called the Iridescent Ibis, despite the circle of white on the face.. I’m curious about it being in your area in winter; the guides have it there in breeding season. Have they been there in winter all along?
Lyle, I think a few of them must have stayed all winter. I’ve seen them off and on. That happens sometimes when all the water doesn’t freeze up but more often than not I don’t see any this time of year.
Curiosity is one of my defining characteristics. About so many things. And I am so grateful for the avenues/by-ways it takes me down.
Love this photo. So much. And am very grateful for the ongoing education your posts give me as well as the roads they take me on.
Life would certainly be boring without a fair share of curiosity, wouldn’t it EC. Thank you.
The longer I look at this image, the more intriguing it becomes….while the satiny, subtle iridescence of the feathers is truly unusual and enchanting– it is also somehow an
“ancient”-looking bird……I’m thinking that ibis appeared often in ancient Egyptian art ? This is the first photo I’ve seen of one, and never saw one in real life– what a treat !
Kris, yes to the Egyptians Ibis were special birds. They often made mummies of them. I remember when the Utah Museum of Natural History obtained a mummified ibis from Egypt – it had its own saprophagous, the who whole nine yards (of linen wrapping material… :).
Wow Ron that is a beautiful shot. If I could create a perfect shot I would have had him coming down with a solid snow background with the blue water, but with all those same gorgeous colors and iridescence. I’m envious. I have seen hundreds of White-faced Ibis, but just foraging for hour after hour and never taking wing. Guess you need to be there when they are arriving. Thanks for posting.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Everett, their was an airboat taking off nearby which made some of the birds take off, circle around and then land again. I hate those noisy contraptions – they don’t use mufflers on them out here.
“Strange looking” and beautiful bird Ron! Think the iridescence contributes to the 3-D effect as well as being just the right distance from the background which isn’t sharp relative to the bird. The iridescence is amazing! 🙂 Red eye and pink in the feet also pulls it together. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen one. Ice does strange things pattern/crack wise…. We’ve escaped the Polar Vortex for now tho single digits and “breeze” aren’t exactly toasty – it is, after all, still January! 😉
I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever seen them near Cut Bank, Judy. I don’t recall doing so.
Your comment about the MT “breeze” brought a smile. My cousin Ken Dudley always liked the wind up there if it was less than about 50 mph because it kept the mosquitoes, horse flies and deer flies at bay while he was working in the fields or in the shop. I wasn’t quite so tolerant…
A “breeze” DOES take care of the obnoxious insect issues for sure! In summer I appreciate it – this time of year not so much…..
The only way to put it, Your So Damn Good, it is hard to think you have not put out a book, you told me why before, but you have a talent that is rare. This picture is filled with so much, color, action, just outstanding.
Thank you very much, Steven, whether it’s fully deserved or not. 🙂
There’s two reasons why I almost surely will never publish a book. I don’t have the available time required, especially if I want to continue blogging. And I’m lazy and it would require too much “work”. I’m retired and have no desire to work again. That’s part of the reason I don’t promote print sales – it’s too much work, especially considering the minimal return.
I’m retired also, I did publish a book on Oregon’s covered bridges (A Bridge with a House….Oregon’s Covered Bridges) and agree with you, a lot of work, but would not do it again. Retirement is great as long as you have a hobby or interest in something. I found a course on photography from The Great COurses, Fundamentals of Photography, Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photographer is the instructor. He is outstanding and when I look at your pictures I knew I needed to learn more about the camera. He a great teacher, half hour lessons, nice being retired to be able to do this. I’ve played with cameras for over 50 years, now you’re pictures have opened me up to learn more and maybe get some pictures of wildlife like you do.
I encourage you to continue following your chosen path, Steven. The self satisfaction I get out of my photography is my greatest motivator and that’s the truth. There are other significant reasons I photograph birds but that one’s at the top of my list.
The colors of this just mesmerize me. What a pretty bird. I’ve never seen one that I know of, but WOW that shimmer!
Arwen, fairly often their iridescent colors are even more varied and dramatic than this.
We’ve actually had a fair number of this species spend the winter here this year. Sometimes that doesn’t happen.
Definitely a ‘3-D’ photo! With the sheen and colors of those feathers and feet, at first glance, this bird could be taken for one of those burnished metal sculptures that people have in their landscapes. In fact, it would make really interesting one if a person is into that sort of decor (over the pink plastic flamingo sorts). The reflections of the stems and ice gives my eye the appearance of raised blocks of ice forming a multilevel shoreline. Yes, one could spend a fair amount of time nit-picking a photo! 😏 Side note…-23 degrees this a.m. That is without the windchill. Looks like pretty near the same temps for tomorrow. The birds go from the feeders to the pines all day! Just have to feel for them!
Glad to know you agree about the 3D, Kathy. Occasionally I’m apparently the only one who perceives it.
I was wondering how you were weathering the cold blast up there. Good luck to both you and your birds.