Feathered PuffBall

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

RJB06962 copy 3XNB.jpg
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RJB06989 copy 4XNB
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Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

White-Collared Manikin, Costa Rica
Nearly impossible to follow these guys, as they are so quick. They hide in the vegetation, so it was very hard to get a focus.
This amazing little 4 inch bird is not only beautiful, but it also does a very unique ritual of preparing it’s lek for mating, and enticing an interested female with very unusual sharp wing clicks:

Interesting 2-minute video here:

Specific Feedback

comments always welcome

Technical Details

Sony A1
200-600
Date Taken: 2023-01-22 13:00:08
Exposure Time: 1/125 sec
F Number: f/6.3
ISO Speed Ratings: ISO 10800
Exposure Program: Manual
Metering Mode: Spot
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

Another very dark image in the dense canopy,
saved by DxO pure Raw + PS

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1 Like
2

Sandy, you did an excellent job in that busy and dark environment. The second shot manages to show 2 of them cooperating/competing, which must have been very difficult to catch. Richard Prum’s book “The Evolution of Beauty” describes in detail the courtship of another Manakin species - fascinating reading! Well done on getting these shots.

3

It’s been a while since I’ve seen these. The wing clicks are amazing.

Well done getting the “beard,” and also landing two in the same frame!

4

Nice job, Sandy. These are so difficult to get and you did a fine job. I need to go back and re-look at the Manikin shots I managed to get in 2022. They were all very high iso and very dark. I did process one I think, but can probably get more out of them with the modern tools.

You did very well on these even getting focus through the vegetation.