Cindy Smith  

Spoonbill Art by Cindy Smith

April 2026 - Spoonbill Art

April 2026 - Cindy Smith

Original

About the Image(s)

Spoonbill Art

Sony a7v, iso = 125, 600mm, f 1/8, ss 1/800

Cropped and slight dehazing in Camera Raw.

This was taken on Marsh Trail which is located just south of Marco Island, Florida. It was a great year for photography due to a drought making wildlife and birds congregate where there was water. The drought also created a shallow pond just perfect for a roseate spoonbill to feed. I first read about Marsh Trail a few years ago in a PSA magazine which fortuitously arrived only a day before I flew to Florida. Marsh Trail is located less than 10 miles from where I stay, but I had never been there. It has been a great location for photography and I never miss at least one visit there my week in Florida.

I titled this Spoonbill Art as I think it looks more like a painting than a photograph with the contrasting dark background. I shot this just after sunrise in February.

3 comments posted

Dean Ginther   Dean Ginther
Interesting reflection which makes the end of the bird's bill appear to be in the water due to the ripples.   Posted: 04/06/2026 01:49:20
Mervyn Hurwitz   Mervyn Hurwitz
Spoonbills are one of my favorite birds and you have captured this one beautifully to show the color in its spread out wings. The reflection adds to the composition.

Your crop has made the bird very central in the frame. I would suggest having more space in front of the spoonbill and less behind it while still keeping the vertical format.   Posted: 04/14/2026 14:55:46
Jacob Wat   Jacob Wat
This is beautiful. I think the reflection creates a very dynamic and artistic photo. I agree with Mervyn's crop suggestion as I feel that would create a stronger sense of motion. If you want to keep the bird centered then I wonder if a tighter crop (removing more of the top) might make the image have a more abstract feel by making the image more symmetric. Again beautiful image and amazing capture   Posted: 04/14/2026 19:16:01

 

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