Comment from helvi2
Hi Mary, Love that you caught some of the iridescence of this bird. Love the awesome beak too. I think you captured a wonderful close-up of this bird. Very nice focus of the eye. Excellent lighting and focus really show the bird off well. Love the way the bird appears to be looking at you! Great photo for the contest! Wishing you Good Luck! :o) Nancy

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks so much Nancy :)

Comment from Ray Gordon
Mary, you have done a fnne job capturing this beautiful purple swamp hen amongst the reed grass. The bill is amazing, such beautiful coloring and to top it all off is its red eyes.Very unique and very nice. The best of luck in the contest. Ray

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks again Ray much appreciated :)

reply by Ray Gordon on 28-Jul-2023

Mary, you are welcome. Ray

Comment from supergold
a wonderful close up Mary of this swamp hen; I particularly like his deep blue color; excellent lighting and very sharp details;................

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks Fred :)

Comment from nikman
A good looking entry into the competition posted here! Your fine and full composition grants us an enjoyable view of that beautiful bird. Like it's eye and beak. The feathers look very sleek. Well done and good luck!

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks again Nik :)

Comment from seshadri_sreenivasan
This is a lovely shot of the colourful looking bird! You have framed it well. The light and shadows, the colours and the composition have worked well. Good effort!

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks again Seshadri :)

Comment from Charlotte Morse
Mary, this is an amazing shot!
Are swamphens related to our moorhens? They look really quite similar.
Such a fantastic close-up shot, beautifully sharp, showing wonderful detail in the beak, eye and feathers.
Perfect exposure giving beautiful natural colours - with the sun shining directly on her like that, you did so well not to have any part burnt out!
Very good luck in the contest.
Charlotte

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks once again Charlotte :)

reply by Charlotte Morse on 28-Jul-2023

And you?re welcome again :)

Comment from suffolkbrian
Good bird shot is this one and a very clear photo of this interesting looking bird do like you show us its eye in this and the distintive plummage is well good,nice one...Brian

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks very much Brian :)

reply by suffolkbrian on 28-Jul-2023

your welcome

Comment from cakemp55
Mary...Excellent profile shot of this Purple Swamphen. Sharp details are clearly seen, great clarity in the eye. The sunlight brings out the lovely deep blue and red colours. Nicely composed among the reeds. Wonderful contest entry!

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks so very much Chris :)

Comment from Sean T Phelan
It's a colorful creature,isn't it?
And it has a cool 'almost prehistoric' kind of a look to it that I'm enjoying very much!
This is a great looking picture,Mary!
~Sean

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks Sean :)

Comment from alaskapat
Wow Mary! This is such a wonderful , close look at the swamp hen . She is well placed within the frame . Focus is spot on, this image is sharp and clear and your exposure is perfect, the colors and tones appear natural. I especially appreciate the well defined detail in feathers, face and beak and that clear eye!
Well composed and presented!

 Comment Written 27-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 27-Jul-2023

Thanks so very much Pat :)