Comment from Mara del Mar
Great entry to contest. Good lighting, excellent composition, color, and sharp focus. I like the DOF and the dark background, like great angle and nice frame. Well done.
Mara

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 02-Aug-2014

Thanks Mara appreciate your feedback ☺

Comment from Life is but a dream.
No, I didn't know that they are native to Oz...hmmm thank you for that.

The photo is a well composed shot with good balance. The tonal ranges could pop a bit more. Did you work this in channel mixers? In monochrome we need to see white and black and did you know there are 246 shades of gray. The more gray the more the image sparkles.

Thank you for educating us.

 Comment Written 02-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 02-Aug-2014

Thanks again, Cappy Girl (Kim) suggested I try ACDSee for editing as it is easier than Photoshop and I am slowly trying to get across it. Will have another play with this one as I chose this image with the bird being white/black thought it would be easier to convert than something with lots of colours.

reply by Life is but a dream. on 02-Aug-2014

Mary, I also like Picasa, it's a free download from Google, just google it. There are many touch up buttons, including BW. I use it to add to photoshop and other plug ins I have. I also use it to store images as I work on them and before I load into my external hard drive for safekeeping.

Comment from WendyG
Wonderful choice of b/w Mary, love the details in the face and bill and the white feathers stand out marvelously. Excellent sharp focus, DOF, exposure and framing. Good luck!;)

 Comment Written 01-Aug-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

Thanks again, would love to win - actually got a win this week for colossal flower my first LOL

Comment from DavidP
Nice entry for the contest and a unique bird. I've seen spoonbills before but not like this one. Very different from the ones we see in the States. A very fine photo showing its head and big bill. Nice shot and good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

Thanks again David, yes I was surprised when Sange and Eileen posted ones that had lots of pink thought they had got mixed up with some paint :) Mary

Comment from gidavidson
Like the b/w, goes well with the subject. A very good profile look, good background, focused and framed to show the unique bill, face and white feathers. Well done.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

Thanks George, I really appreciate your positive comments :) Mary

Comment from OLIVER23
The clarity is quite good that allows close inspection of the feathering around its neck. The light off the bill is great with really expressive highlights. The contrast with the background isnīt as deep as it might be, but thatīs just a suggestion. Great shot!

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

Thanks Oliver, pleased you liked the image and appreciate your feedback :) Mary

Comment from avmurray
They are quite funny looking birds with their flat long beak, and it almost looks like this one was posing for you. Since the bird is more or less black and white even in a color photo, I think converting to BW has worked well. The background is nicely softened for the bird to stand out well.

Your photo is also nice and sharp showing very clear and well defined details on the head. Seems like some definition is lost in the white feathers though. Still the photo is not over exposed.

I think the framing is working well, and the bird has got a good position within the frame. I think it is a well taken photo with a very good DOF, and I wish you luck with the contest.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

You made my day Annie, thank you so much for your positive comments. :) Mary

reply by avmurray on 01-Aug-2014

You are most welcome

Comment from michiganmike
A very fine composition. I love the profile for most birds and this is a perfect example of why. Great details in the eye and bill as well as the white plumage. Very nice tonality and great separation from the background.

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2014

Thanks Mike, I really do appreciate your positive comments.

Comment from Photo4all
What a regal bird!

The detail is crisp and well framed.
The black and white looks outstanding in this photo.

Excellent work!
Brenda

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 31-Jul-2014

Thanks Brenda, I really appreciate your positive feedback.

Comment from Jairos
Wow This is Great, good b/g, Very good in b/w, the clarity is great, Good Impact, Very nice frame Good Ca,era techniques, and well Focused, Good Job Jairos

 Comment Written 31-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 31-Jul-2014

Thanks Jairos, really appreciate your positive comments :) Mary