Babysitters!!

Image Critiques
1

Babysitters!!
Babysitters!!2000×2000 1.13 MB

Additional image 1
Additional image 12000×2000 1.14 MB

And a bonus capture: You betta watch it lady, you could be next!
And a bonus capture: You betta watch it lady, you could be next!1427×1142 1.34 MB

And a bonus capture: You betta watch it lady, you could be next!

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive

About This Image

The Western Bluebirds that fledged 6 weeks ago are learning the ropes!

Feedback Requested

All comments welcome!

Technical Details

Camera: Canon EOS R5
Lens: RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/350s
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 1600

Processing software:
Major adjustments:
Blending/stacking:
Other notes: Open shade, tripod; very basic global tonal adjustments in LR, cropped from the sides only. Into PS for two subtle masked curves.
The bonus capture is substantially the same, cropped to 3.6% (sic) of the full frame.

2

A couple of really sweet images of the juveniles helping out, Diane. I love the head shot of the male-awesome!

3

Diane,

I love the third image. It makes the lovely blue bird look like a fierce hunter with its game in its beak. Its amazing how instinct takes over and they start doing the things they need to survive. I also love the texture in the feathers that come out in the third image.

4

Wow! I love those shades of blue and brown. Always a winner.
Great poses on the first two and that third image. Holy cow! Glad the birds are smallish?

I spent a bit of time down the paddock this morning reorganising my perches. Winter light has become quite difficult.

5

Thanks, @Dennis_Plank , @Youssef_Ismail and @Glenys_Passier ! They are definitely smallish but I wonder if they (and many or any birds) have any idea of their relative sizes. I’ve seen a Kestrel chase a Red-tailed Hawk, successfully. And a couple of years ago a male WBB (this one?) chased a ground squirrel for maybe 75 ft, apparently latched onto the back of its neck.

Good luck with the perches, Glenys! Your bird portraits are always a special treat!

6

These just continue to excel, although I did have a cringe at the spider meal, but such is nature.

7

Thanks, @Kris_Smith ! I’ve read that spiders are one of the choice foods for the youngest babies – soft, digestible, high water content. Probably all sorts of vitamins and minerals. They feed the best foods to the youngest babies and the adults will make do with a lesser diet to favor the kids.

8

Hi Diane

I like the series and can see how a tripod would be very helpful. The framing, eye contact and feather detail are spot on. The bonus shot is just plain scary. Very nice.

Peer

9

Hi Diane, really great poses on the juvenile. Love the subtle colors on the juvenile and detail - so well rendered. I find the mosaic background complimentary. Great view of the adult’s meal in the first image - glad I’m not a bluebird.
We have five eggs in the box again here - the start of brood #3.

10

Very nice. I have monitored bluebird nests myself and it is amazing how many different bugs they find in a short time. Keep them coming

11

Thanks, @Peter_Morrissey , @Allen_Sparks and @Andrew_Sentipal ! I would love to have a 3rd brood, but in the past I’ve only noticed two. It gets hot and dry here by the time a second brood fledges so maybe that’s why. I always clean and disinfect the box the day after they fledge, so maybe they’ll get the idea this year!