Pink Flamingo 5
Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze, Florida
Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze, Florida
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Nov, 2016Views
1530
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Animals And Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Top 30 rank week 1
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Behind The Lens
Location
I captured this image at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulf Breeze, Florida.Time
It was about 11:30.Lighting
The Flamingo enclosure had a lot of trees with very little sunlight coming in. It did not help that it was so late in the morning but there were a couple of spots where the sun was getting through the trees and with a little patience I was able to get several shots of the Flamingos in sunlight. Because there was so little sunlight the background lighting and bokeh tended to make this Flamingo standout.Equipment
D810 with my 200-500mm f/5.6 mounted. I was using the railing of the enclosure to stabilize my rig.Inspiration
Wanting to focus on nature and wildlife photography and not having the ability to do a lot of traveling, I decided to give the Zoo a shot if for no other reason but to practice some of the skills that I will need when I am finally able to travel and pursue my passion. The day offered many opportunities to practice different exposure settings and focal lengths needed to capture moving animals. This particular shot was one of several that I felt showed a successful mix of techniques and luck!Editing
Yes some post-processing was done to this image. First was a crop followed by setting the clarity and vibrance to 100. That was it.In my camera bag
My Nikon D810, with a AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED, AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G, and a SB-910.Feedback
At first I discounted going to the Zoo to take pictures. My wife suggested it but I was put off by the enclosures and some of the enclosures at this Zoo did not lend themselves to getting good images. But the enclosures that did allow for good shots, not to mention the open enclosures that you had to ride a train through, made going to the Zoo a most excellent photo excursion. If you want to do nature and wildlife photography but cannot travel to far away lands to expand your photographic talents then look for those opportunities closer to home. Find wetlands near you or state parks. I have had good luck with those as well. It can get a bit boring going to the same locations repeatedly but I always seem to find something just a bit different when I return to old locations so never rule out places you have been before!! Sometimes it is the light, sometimes it is the weather, and sometimes it is different creatures than had been there the last time. Just keep at it and you will get those shots that sometimes seem so elusive!
