White-breasted Waterhen

[Bhargava Srivari]

Had seen this bird many a time previously, but never managed an image. In fact, I never found it easy to get these shy birds in the open.

f6.3,1/200sec,ISO 500, EV +0.7, 400mm,eval metering cropped
canon 60D,canon 100-400 L IS USM

[Sabyasachi Patra]

They can so easily walk on the floating vegetation. I think one third stop less exposure compensation would have been fine. You can slightly pull down the brightness. Thanks for sharing.

Composition wise more space at the bottom of the frame would have been better instead of space at the top of the frame. Were you on a higher elevation on a bund or car?

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Mrudul Godbole]

Nice image. Agree about reducing the brightness. The details are nice. A side profile would have enhanced the composition further. Thanks for sharing.

[Atul Sinai]

I am still in early days of my wildlife photography, just would like to comment what I felt.

I like the eye contact, the focus is sharp. Agree with the above coments about lighting and composition, more space at the bottom would have certainly been better.

Was it possible to get an horizontal shot? A horizontal compositing also could have been intresting. As the background environment is fantastic also a bit less tight composition could have enhanced the image further.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Atul

[Dr. Kalpamoi Kakati]

Nice pose & eye contact.I agree about more space in the bottom than top.How far was the bird from you? I always find it difficult to go near these birds as they are very shy and sensitive.TFS

[Bhargava Srivari]

Thanks Atul. I do have a few horizontal pics..will post them.

Dr Kalpamoi,

This place is basically a pond with an elevated bund for people to walk around the pond, basically making a circle. So, birds have no fear from people as they know that we wouldn't jump into the water anyway. Sometimes, if there isn't much noise, they can come close enough for a portrai. In this case though, it was at around 15m from us.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Bhargava,
It may be a good idea to set up a hide made of sticks and old torn gunny bags. You can set it up near the water line and can hide there. It depends on the type of birds available and your level of patience as well.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi