Photo Discussion
Category: Where Was This Made?

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YOU be SANTA!


 

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YOU be SANTA!
YOU be SANTA!

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In a residential neighborhood yesterday, I encountered a small kettle of black vultures feasting on a large doe (see comment area) on the lawn near the road.
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They allowed me to approach and shoot at will for a few minutes, but then took flight. These two alighted on a nearby chimney to watch me.
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I liked this shot (for its captioning possibilities) but the blue sky was blown out. So I had to swap one in--which was tricky because of the grating around the chimney, where sky showed through. That required me to use the Photoshop Vanishing Point filter VERY gingerly.
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Michelle Alton

 
  Dinner for Seven
Dinner for Seven
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Not for the feint of heart!
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I've just read in a fantastic book about the work of vultures and other animal undertakers ("Life Everlasting"--by Bernd Heinrich) , that vultures are communal birds, making them potential EXCELLENT pets for humans!
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If it weren't for the natural undertakers, the world would be uninhabitable...so if we can't be friends with a vulture, we should at least revere them.
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The faces of black vultures are not red (like the Turkey Vultures'). I believe these are tinted by the deer's blood.
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Michelle Alton

 
 
 

Michelle Alton
 

The action below, just before the birds departed.


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January 27, 2013

 

Jack Gaskin
  GREAT CATCH RAZOR SHARP WONDERFUL WORK ,way over my head. The CAPTION OUTSTANDING !!!!

Bravo on not being a SISSY on the Predation Capture.
My experience has been you can get to within about
30 feet of them before the spook. But they never go far when there's still food available.

You will HATE/LOVE my post tomorrow. Got LUCKY
Yesterday w/the Gators ;O)

Jack


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January 27, 2013

 
- Mary Beth Aiello

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  Michelle -- this has WINNER written all over it. Simply an outstanding capture -- the poses, the detail, the expressions, the story. Just so unique. And Jack is right. This IS razor sharp. LOVE it.


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January 27, 2013

 
robinsonphotoart.com - Jeff Robinson

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  Vultures are amazing - Great captures of them Michelle!


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January 27, 2013

 

Jack Ryan
  A unique photo op and you took full advantage of it. Super clarity...well done.


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January 27, 2013

 
- Ken Smith

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  Very cool shot...and those guys are a little scary. You can keep them as a pet. As for me, I'll stick with Jack's gator! :-)


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January 27, 2013

 

MELODIE C. ROBERTS
  They look more like Grinches to me
Ready to steal Santas bounty


Excellent work Mickey
Razor sharp makes it Cut to the front of the line!!


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January 27, 2013

 

Liz blahh
  Awesome!


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January 27, 2013

 

Connie J. Bagot
  Great shot of these guys---honestly they don't hurt anybody and they do us a huge favor re cleaning up carrion. Great work on the sky too!


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January 27, 2013

 

Linda Karlin
  What a opportunity. Super shot.


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January 27, 2013

 
annbelusphotography.com - Ann H. Belus

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  Fantastic work, Michelle...this image is superb!


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January 27, 2013

 

Thomas E. Hinds
  Great composition and detail in this amazing image, Michelle!


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January 27, 2013

 

David Phalen
  Absolutely amazing!! The comp, clarity and DD work are superb!!


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January 27, 2013

 

Carol L. Fowler
  Very sharp and vivid! Nice capture!


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January 27, 2013

 
- Robert K. Bemus

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  Don't want to imagine the stink and disease we'd have without vultures...beautiful capture and editing, Michelle!!


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January 27, 2013

 
- Ann Coates

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  What a brilliant capture Michelle. I hope we see this again.


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January 27, 2013

 

Kirsten Kiki Kjaer
  It is the way of Nature...
Fabulous image, Michelle.


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January 28, 2013

 

Kathy Reeves
  Wonderful image of natures clean up crew!


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January 29, 2013

 
- Emile Abbott

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  Fabulous capture and DD work to swap the sky. They take care of the road kill on the West Texas Hiways.


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January 29, 2013

 

Jeffrey R. Bange
  Outstanding capture Michelle with fantastic detail in the feathers, I'm sure we will be seeing this one again real soon.


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January 29, 2013

 
- Irene Colling

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  Very catchy title Michelle.

Great presentation and expert sky replacement. Like you did, I often replace the sky to give an image more impact.


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February 01, 2013

 

Linda A. Braddock
  Great Capture, Michelle!


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February 08, 2013

 

Dianna Hauf
  That is so perfect!!!! LOVE the title and the clarity, composition and details is just spot on! chuckle....


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March 02, 2013

 
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