Main image:
After the Lovin’ … (Thank you, sweetie) (Just a rough crop, no edit)
A “proper” edit of image
Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Once again, my eagle-eye husband Jim saw this way before I did. They mated very briefly, then he placed a sweet kiss on her cheek. 
We always drive ourselves, so can thoroughly scour an area before moving on, and can always stay as long as needed.
Specific Feedback
This is a very large crop; is it still sufficiently sharp? I can back off more, but liked the comp on the main image.
Technical Details
D800 (then)
500 mm
Exposure Time: 1/1600 sec
F Number: f/8
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 2500
Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure Bias: -0.33 EV
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Sandy, You are right - we need to stick around with patience to get the shots, especially with wildlife. Sharpness on the first mating image looks fine; the birds in the kissing image are out of focus -I ran the image through Topaz Photo AI twice and it helped, but the kissing bird is still soft. I also reduced the whites on the brightest part of the birds using a lights 4 mask in PS > Lights4 > curves > multiply blend mode. Was this a cell phone shot? It needed upscaling which I also did in Photo Ai. Kudos to you and your husband for your eagle eyes in capturing these love birds.
Larry - thanks, but the second image was just thrown in to show a nice moment. Didn’t edit it at all.
I guess I’d better do so, and re-post.
Excellent image, Sandy. Good to catch the moment. My wife does the spotting when we’re together-she’s much better.
There’s no way I’d drive in Costa Rica! I don’t understand their unwritten rules and it’s much easier to let the guide do it. However, on both trips we’ve had the guide to ourselves/myself, so it was the best of both worlds.
Dennis, friend, African fish eagles are in Africa, not Costa Rica!
I wouldn’t drive in CR either!
wonderful behavioral capture. Really like to see this. I’m amazed at how many places you get to go to. And a really good job at this and others. Very enjoyable.
Very nice behavioral series.
Hi Sandy, very fine behavioral image with nice details, exposure, BG, and perch. Well seen and captured.
