Wood Stork

Wood Stork

Wood Storks are extremely common where I live in Central Florida, and I admit that they have been somewhat of an acquired taste for me.  Some birds are so beautiful that you feel almost like you're cheating as a photographer--it's hard to take a bad picture of some birds. But this one for me is kind of a challenge, and maybe the challenge is what draws me to this bird.

Wood Stork

The challenge photographically comes both from the fact that they aren't as immediately attractive as other birds but also from the difficulties in getting your exposure right.  They have dark heads and white feathers.  In fact, their feathears are nearly all white when they are standing.  So this means that it can be difficult to get both the feathers and the head exposed properly  I believe it's best, though to expose for the white feathers, and work with the dark head and dark feathers (if visible) with software.

Wood Stork

Wood Stork
(Notice this juvenile still has feathers on his head)