Walking Wood Stork – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light
These two images were taken after the “Golden Hour”, though as I recall there wasn’t much golden light that morning. There were high thin clouds and that worked in my favor to photograph these large white birds without blowing out the whites. White feathers in bright light can be challenging to expose properly but the clouds on this day caused a diffusion of the light.
Still Wood Stork (Mycetaria americana) resting – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 270mm, natural light
I was either laying in the very shallow water of this lagoon or sitting down in it as low as possible to get a low angle. These are big wading birds though so I didn’t need to go as low as I would for a small shorebird like a Sanderling.
Wood Storks are the only native stork in North America and I think they are very prehistoric looking. I know quite a few people will pass up taking images of Wood Storks for more colorful and “beautiful” birds. Not me.
The diffuse light that day worked in my favor with these fascinating birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wood Stork photos plus facts and information about this species.
No way I would pass up an opportunity to shoot this species. They are so interesting. So, what’s up with the one pink leg? Is that due to a loss of pigment?
Julie,
Wood Storks often have pink and black mottled feet, I’m guessing the pink just went a little higher than normal here.