• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

Yawn for a gray day.

© Paula Lechten

Yawn for a gray day.

Uploaded: January 10, 2004 06:35:11

Description

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!

Comments

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! #86528

Patricia 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! #325517

Stephen Zacker January 10, 2004

Really Nice.. Like the reflection very much! #325549

Kathleen Clemons January 10, 2004

You really used the gray skies to your advantage, Paula! This is great! #325555

Kathleen F. Greer January 10, 2004

Beautiful shot on a gray day! Love the colors!! #325607

Colette M. Metcalf January 10, 2004

Beautiful image!! #325641

Paula 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. #325643

Susan T. Evans level-classic January 10, 2004

This is great Paula, I love the pink on grey, works really well together, and perfect timing on the capture! #325919

Stanley 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.
Aloha from Kaua'i,
Stan

#325950

Gary W. Lake January 10, 2004

Beautiful! #325966

Paula 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. #326002

Susie Peek-Swint January 10, 2004

Wonderful image Paula ~ pink on grey is a great combination! #326063

Frederick A. Franzella level-classic January 10, 2004

Really looks great! love the reflection #326185

Susana Matos January 10, 2004

Perfect photo! Seems like we´ll see this again!!
Cheers from Portugal, Su #326247

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. #326290

Paula 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". #326340

Carol Brill January 10, 2004

Absolutely awesome shot, Paula, the clarity, balance, and elegant simplicity of composition combine to make this a showstopper!! #326569

Evy Johansen level-classic January 10, 2004

Sooooo beautiful, Paula! Very elegant! #326636

Leanne M.E. Boyd January 11, 2004

Simple, elegant, and well shot! This has an oriental feel to it. #327027

Ann Texter January 12, 2004

Gorgeous image, the pink on grey works! Thank goodness for clouds! :) #328418

Patricia 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! #378287

Kathleen Clemons February 15, 2004

Congratulations to you, Paula! #378646

Stephen Zacker February 15, 2004

Congrats Paula on a well deserved Beautiful, Creative image! #378669

Kathleen F. Greer February 15, 2004

Big congrats to you Paula!! #378764

Paula Lechten February 15, 2004

Thank you Patricia, Kathleen C, Stephen and Kathleen G. I am honored because you guys are such great photographers. #379290

Susan T. Evans level-classic February 15, 2004

CONGRATS PAULA, WONDERFUL! #379432

Cathy Barrows February 15, 2004

Congrats!...great shot of this spoonbill #379509

Cathy Barrows February 15, 2004

Have you been to pelican island at Sebastian #379511

Mary K. Robison February 15, 2004

Congratulations on this photo making the finals ~ you deserve it! #379637

Evy Johansen level-classic February 16, 2004

Many congratulations, Paula! Very well deserved! #380075

Gary W. Lake February 16, 2004

Congrats! #380832

Carolyn Whiteside February 16, 2004

Congratulations!! #381002

Paula 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.
LOL to all. #381034

Carol Brill February 16, 2004

Paula, Congratulations and best of luck! #381701

Carolyn Whiteside February 16, 2004

Sounds wonderful! #381838

Peggy Wolff February 16, 2004

Beautiful! I can not believe how still the water is! #382003

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

1

You & 1

Love It!
BetterPhoto.com Photo Contest Finalist


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Paula Lechten.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.