2018 Project 52 - 2nd QTR - Sandy(Skitterbug)

[Wavelength]

Great; very interesting; won't you get chances to capture how they are fed by mother?

[skitterbug]

Great; very interesting; won't you get chances to capture how they are fed by mother?

Hi Nandakumar - The odds are not the best as far as catching a pic of momma feeding the babies. She has them tucked back in the base of the bush again and she is very suspicious when I have my window open now. You can bet that I am going to try hard to get one but I think this will have a lot to do with how lucky I might be! If I do get one, I'll definitely post it!

[billtils]

Nice set Sandy (and enhanced by the "baby" addition). #3 is the clear stand-out shot for me though.

[skitterbug]

Nice set Sandy (and enhanced by the "baby" addition). #3 is the clear stand-out shot for me though.

Hi Bill - I really appreciate the opinions offered on this series. I'm encouraged because of it. I am seriously considering trying to get this set printed maybe in 8x10s and displaying them. I also like the photo I entered in the mini contest and probably should have posted it here as part of the series.

I'd like a few more photos of the baby cardinals but they are elusive and well hidden. Once they are able to leave the nest they probably won't stay around. Male cardinals are very territorial and will drive them off. Our yard isn't big enough to accommodate more than one pair of them according to how Mr. Cardinal thinks! <lol>

Thanks for commenting!

[Shadowman]

Hi John - she has been fun to have for photo opportunities! Thanks for commenting!

Sandy,

Especially like #3, this one makes the grade with a plus.

[skitterbug]

Sandy,

Especially like #3, this one makes the grade with a plus.

Golly..... Thank you for the high praise, John! You made my day.

[FootLoose]

Great capture of that #3rd shot. The detail in the flapping wing is remarkable indeed.

[skitterbug]

Great capture of that #3rd shot. The detail in the flapping wing is remarkable indeed.

Thank you Greg!

[skitterbug]

Week 22 - It is unusual for us to have an oriole stop in our yard but while I was watching the cardinal's activity, I caught a glimpse of it. It is a much further reach for my lens but I am fairly pleased to have a few to show for my efforts. Used the camera setting of ISO640 and f/5.6 but the speed was variable.

I thought about cropping these a bit tighter but was afraid that it would not help. I really wish I could have been closer!

#1 - Ready to take flight - 1/3200ss
In this photo, I maybe should have burned the lighter background a bit more but I stopped before I made the adjustment look too fake to me. This one does have a bit of "noise".



#2 - Stretching to munch on Sunset Locust buds - 1/1000ss
I like this one showing the colors of its back. These are beautiful birds especially in the spring when they are in the mood to mate!



#3 - Sitting still for a second! 1/1000ss

[rudi]

Very good catch on the oriole Sandy, very nice environment, bg. Nr 3 being my favourite, "sitting still for 1/1000 off a second". I think a different crop, placing the bird more off centre would enhance the shot.

[Shadowman]

Week 22, nice series but I would try to adjust the tones just around the bird's head.

[skitterbug]

From Rudi - I think a different crop, placing the bird more off centre would enhance the shot.

From John - I would try to adjust the tones just around the bird's head.

Hi Rudi and John - I wasn't entirely pleased with my efforts either and I appreciate the suggestions. In reality, the bird was too far off to do it justice but I didn't want to let go since we don't often see an oriole.

So I've given this one a different crop and I've tried to adjust the tones around its head. It looks fairly decent to me but I'll be interested in your opinions!

Thank you!


Oriole - reworked!

[Geoff F]

Last image is definitely the best for me.

The trouble with birds is that they can make awkward models and never listen to a word you say about correct posing.

[Shadowman]

Sandy,

The rework is much better, eye detail is especially key when your background is so prominent.

[joebranko]

All very nice Sandy. Good job!

[FootLoose]

The crop works better for me, too. Even though it is the same image, allowing more space in front of the bird gives it some distance to look into.

[skitterbug]

Last image is definitely the best for me.

Hi Geoff - Thank you!

The trouble with birds is that they can make awkward models and never listen to a word you say about correct posing.

I think that's true in a lot of cases - the birds laugh at me, flick their tails and take off exactly when I click the shutter..... There's no talking with them! LOL

[skitterbug]

Sandy,

The rework is much better, eye detail is especially key when your background is so prominent.

Hi John - Thank you for commenting! The "eyes" have it!

[skitterbug]

All very nice Sandy. Good job!

Thank you Joe!

[skitterbug]

The crop works better for me, too. Even though it is the same image, allowing more space in front of the bird gives it some distance to look into.

Hi Greg - I shouldn't have gotten sloppy when I was doing PP on this photo. Giving it extra attention seems to have paid off! Thank you for commenting!