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Icarus
1st PlaceIcarus
vawendy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Birds III (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2012 Challenge shots
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Date: Jun 19, 2012
Date Uploaded: Jun 18, 2012

 [Jun. 27th, 2012 09:45:51 PM]

I had a blast shooting for this challenge! I spent two days stalking an osprey nest. There were a couple of opportunities, but not much, and nothing that I was too excited about:






They were nice, but the quality of wildlife photographers on this site is so incredibly high, I knew I needed better.

However, if I didn't have a serious shot, I figured I could always use this one. :)



Then my son and I took a two day trip up to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. One of my favorite places! I think they should just plant me there and leave me. Over the week, between the ospreys and Chincoteague, I was probably shooting for about 20 hours. Time and patience is the key. (and willingness to get chigger, tick, and mosquito bites!! There never seems to be enough bug spray in the world...)

I also filled over 56 gb worth of cards and drained my battery up at chincoteague.

Here are some outtakes:



I couldn't believe when I started out the week with an 8. I started hoping that maybe when it fell, that just perhaps I could keep a really low 8.

This has been the strangest week. I keep waiting for it to fall -- and it doesn't!!!!! It doesn't even seem real. So I'm thinking that perhaps it isn't. I'll wait until rollover on Thursday and see if it suddenly shows up as a 6.something. :)

Thanks for the unbelievable votes, and for all the incredible comments! You guys rock!

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 110
Avg (all users): 8.3017
Avg (commenters): 9.1111
Avg (participants): 7.7556
Avg (non-participants): 8.6479
Views since voting: 8795
Views during voting: 411
Votes: 116
Comments: 115
Favorites: 41 (view)

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AuthorThread
 02/29/2020 04:11:48 AM
best bird image! love it!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2018 02:45:30 PM
incredible shot .. :)
and loved reading your blurb ..
then scrolled down to make a comment and there's shez's sherpet..
took me back to 2007 when i visited her with greg GregoryB .. they have now both passed away ..
memories at 4.44 in the morning ..
and what a fitting image to remember them ..

Message edited by author 2018-07-13 14:50:20.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/22/2012 10:11:09 PM
I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS AMAZING IMAGE TAKEN BY YOU... IT MOVED ME MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS... I GOING TO GIVE YOU MY SHERPET JEWEL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE AS I THINK IT THE BEST BIRD PHOTO I HAVE EVER SEEN OR WILL EVER SEE...

ENJOY... LOVE FROM SHEZ RE SHERPET

  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/05/2012 12:03:32 AM
Beautiful! Congrats, a well deserved win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2012 10:38:37 AM
Congratulations Wendy, truly an amazing image !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2012 06:53:47 AM
This is one of the most beautiful bird images I've seen, Wendy. Congratulations on your Win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/04/2012 05:07:13 AM
Damn fine Picture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/02/2012 03:45:20 AM
This is pretty amazing! I guess everyone felt the same! congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/02/2012 01:52:38 AM
I haven't been to the site in a while. This shot is just WOW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/01/2012 03:14:10 PM
Sorry I'm late in the congrats Wendy, i've been away for a couple of days. You do have a way with bird shots! Well deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 09:15:01 PM
Simply put....OUTSTANDING, well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 06:17:05 PM
Beautiful capture - wonderful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 12:39:41 PM
Well fancy that,Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 12:01:17 PM
Absolutely sublime, Wendy. Just a stunning shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 11:32:15 AM
Huge congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 02:11:00 AM
Gorgeous creature. I was expecting a flying squirrel from you..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 01:00:02 AM
you have outdone yourself. congratulations. outstanding.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/30/2012 12:17:33 AM
Oh my. This is an amazing image Wendy. Love it. Congrats on the blue ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 10:14:15 PM
I KEEP COMING BACK TO THIS IMAGE AS I LOVE IT SO MUCH IT HAS TO BE THE BEST WILDLIFE IMAGE SEEN HERE AT DPC ESPECIALLY BIRDS... LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT XOX FROM SHEZ YOU ARE AN AMAZING PERSON WITH AN AMAZING GIFT THANK YOU FOR SHARING LOVE FROM SHEZ XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 09:30:10 PM
Really wonderful shot! Congratulations on another blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 08:14:52 PM
Congratulations Wendy! Amazing image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 08:03:58 PM
Wonderful work, Wendy! We've had egrets in this area but alas never close enough for a shot like this. Huge congrats on a final placing in the 8s!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 07:48:40 PM
Brilliant shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 07:44:24 PM
Wendy, thank you for sharing such an elegant and beautiful image! Your patience paid off :-) While my love isn't birds, I love this image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:47:05 PM
Congratulations, Wendy! You da (wo)man!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:29:14 PM
You may have a talent for shooting birds, Wendy. Truly stunning shot (and score). Great job. I could not complete with any of your outtakes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 04:55:45 PM
Stunning. Congrats on your 8.3. The eight highest score ever for an actual photograph. Well done.

That's an interesting scoring chart.

Message edited by author 2012-06-29 16:57:43.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 04:34:41 PM
Well worth the patience Wendy. Keep up the great work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:19:10 PM
It's a good thing we are limited to one entry or you would have been competing against yourself - and that despite some very worthy entries by others. Congratulations on the ribbon, Wendy. In awe of your dedication as always.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:44:37 PM
Congratulations on another ribbon and personal best. This one is amazing, and so are the outtakes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 11:03:21 AM
Wow!!! You just set the bar a few notches higher! Fantastic capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 10:39:56 AM
Amazing and well deserved! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 09:39:25 AM
absolutely stunning photo Wendy...all the bug bites in the world are worth this...you got some really really good stuff girl!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 09:10:21 AM
Impressed with your perseverance and your final image is absolutely breathtaking! Although your other images are really great too...Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 09:04:05 AM
This is pretty incredible. Was this all natural or wasflash/post processing involved in re-lighting the bird? I'ld be really interested in knowing how you went about it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 08:10:21 AM
I suppose its pretty nice alright
:-)
Grats on the image and score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 08:04:39 AM
Stunning series of photos. Amazing results from all your hard work. Well done, and big congrats on the new PB. For your record that really is a feat.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 07:19:39 AM
Congrats on a lovely picture and an unbelieveable score. Well deserved.
(Who gave this a 4? Or 5's for that matter?) You just killed them
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 07:16:41 AM
Congrats on the Blue Wendy, all you bird pictures are great. Would of been surprised if you did not win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:44:28 AM
Congrats on the Blue. Great patience to get a shot like this. Loved this, Neat's and Melethia's in this challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:31:44 AM
WOW! Fantastic score for a fantastic shot!
Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:29:55 AM
You've got some great bird shots, but I think this eclipses them all. Quite the stunner you've got here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:27:55 AM
Congrats on, well, everything about this :-). You've more than convinced me I need to get out to Chincoteague one of these days and experience the awesomeness! With copious quantities of bug spray.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:20:55 AM
Oh, yeah!

Un-freakin'-believable shot!

Nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 06:14:37 AM
Good grief Wendy. this is one classy shot and nothing but Blue goes with this image. Congrats on a score that shoots for space
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 05:17:36 AM
AMAZING! wish I had taken this!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 04:37:51 AM
So now you rule the roost with the highest score ever using a Canon EOS-7D, and you've nailed the 13th highest score so far on DPC's Browse Highest Rated page. Good for you: well-deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 04:35:46 AM
Stunning
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 04:17:09 AM
WOW WOW WOW LOOK AT THE SCORE AN 8 AT LAST AND AN 8.3 TO BE EXACT WOW AWESOME LOVE IT, SO DESERVED...
YOU ROCK 'BIRD LADY' NO 'LADY BIRD LADY'... SUITS YOU MORE XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:52:30 AM
Congrats wendy this is really a stunning image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:47:20 AM
Congrats Wendy! This is one fabulous shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:44:26 AM
THIS HAD TO BE YOURS...

YOU MY DEAR ARE CRUISING WITH RIBBONS NOW AND THE BIRD WORLD LOVES YOU AND YOUR CAMERA... SO DO I XOX

THANK YOU FOR SOME AMAZING PHOTOS AND YOU DESERVE EVERY RIBBON YOU GET FROM SHEZ XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:31:58 AM
Congratz...the "bird lady" does it again with another magnificent wildlife image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:26:24 AM
Yeah, what everyone else says. ;-Þ
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 03:08:17 AM
Just fabulous!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 02:45:20 AM
Congratulations, Wendy! This is a stunning shot and I'm not surprised to see that remarkable score. I've just enjoyed viewing your outtakes, too - what an exceptional series!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 02:37:53 AM
Oh, Wendy!! WHAT a breathtaking shot and WHAT a score! Many congratulations and a big ((HUG)). I assume this is your new PB ;-D
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:55:41 AM
Woo wee. What a score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:53:27 AM
Wow, awesome Wendy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:38:21 AM
Congrats Wendy! Impressive shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:36:49 AM
Congrats on a well deserved Blue! Spectacular capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:34:22 AM
Congrats Wendy! Magical result.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:31:23 AM
Wendy, X marks the spot and you certainly deserve this spot in blue!!! My warmest congrats to you!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:27:35 AM
Holy Crap, this is stunningly amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:26:40 AM
magnificent shot and monumental score! congrats, Wendy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:20:09 AM
Congrats! Well deserved and what a score!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:19:12 AM
OMG, Wendy. This is spectacular!!!! What a score! Congrats on EVERYTHING.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 01:04:16 AM
nicely done, wendy. this is the highest rated non-expert-edited image in over 5 years, deservedly so.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:49:57 AM
You are without a doubt the Queen of the Birds. Even the mighty Gyaban has to yield to your greatness. :-) Congrats on a beautiful image and an incredible score!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:41:10 AM
The author was as obvious as the outcome. Congrats on the new PB!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:36:03 AM
Fabulous score! Congrats, sweet friend!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:27:34 AM
Totally awesome image Wendy. And look at you rockin' that 8+ score! Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:13:40 AM
I knew this would do well, but this is unbelievable! Wow.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:10:54 AM
Congrats on a well deserved Blue and one of the best bird shot I've ever seen.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:08:25 AM
Congrats on the ribbon and the beautiful image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:06:29 AM
as usual absolutely fabulous. well done on a deserving 8.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:05:25 AM
yay! you got your 8 way to go. I knew this one was going to be a winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:04:58 AM
It had to be you. This challenge should be named in your honor. Excellent job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:04:53 AM
Magnificent. Very well deserved score and blue ribbon. It's a beauty. Big congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:04:28 AM
Congrats Wendy knew it was a winner when I saw it, congrats on the awesome score as well, you beat gyaban.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:04:07 AM
Awesome job... congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:03:38 AM
Look at that score! And well deserved! Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/29/2012 12:01:39 AM
Well, there's a score :-) Congrats! Bird lady rules!

Message edited by author 2012-06-29 00:02:28.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/28/2012 11:32:04 PM
Good composition. The nearly burnt out feathers do indeed invoke an Icarus sense except he's standing in the fixit. 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2012 10:50:31 PM
outstanding! took my breathe away 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2012 10:39:33 PM
Beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2012 08:37:29 PM
Top ten for sure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2012 05:23:46 PM
Incredibly beautiful
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/28/2012 10:15:06 AM
I would think this should fair well,nice timing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2012 10:56:46 PM
Incredible! A 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2012 08:42:28 AM
That is an amazing mopportunity and capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2012 06:04:00 AM
Well composed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/27/2012 04:45:17 AM
Awesome! The lighting is perfect and the vignette make it stunning...10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/26/2012 10:13:24 PM
Great timing, really has the "Pegasus" look to it, love it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/25/2012 02:01:44 AM
Magnificent! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2012 09:36:07 PM
Wonderful capture! One of the best of the challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2012 07:24:50 PM
I have no idea what it takes to get a shot like this especially in terms of patience and gears.
You just caught Narcissus playing Icarus! The little unruly feather on its head is totally charming and gives more life to this sculptural bird.
bump to 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2012 01:10:54 PM
Perfect!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2012 09:09:51 AM
This is so awesome!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2012 09:45:12 PM
Magnificent shot!! You got a full 10 on this one!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2012 01:52:54 PM
Nice job on the exposure, and the marvelous reflection. To bad the focus wasn't sharper, that would have been spectacular.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/23/2012 11:49:47 AM
Wow, best in show award, congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 11:35:43 PM
A M A Z I N G !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 10:55:52 PM
I think this is my favorite for this challenge. So beautiful! Reminds me of a dancer. Reflection is lovely.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 09:33:11 PM
really great symmetry an awesome shot indeed. My only nit pick might be the amount of vignette. I'm a fan of vignette, but seems a tad bit dark , that being said it looks as if it might be to hide the distracting elements behind the birds wing in the upper right corner. Great shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 08:43:02 PM
not voting.
on yours
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 04:43:09 PM
STUNNING reflection with that pose.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 03:17:49 PM
This is too gorgeous. I am amazed how people get these shots. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 02:11:37 PM
Wow... winner!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 09:44:12 AM
very nice art shot would prefer more habitat just my opinion!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 08:44:51 AM
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 03:27:10 AM
Lovely study and reflection.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 12:49:22 AM
Wow, that's dramatic. Very nicely processed. I bet this is a ribbon winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 12:43:09 AM
Wow! That's really amazing. Snowy Egret. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2012 12:22:29 AM
WOW!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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