The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
For Father’s Day I am posting these photos of two different RWBB fathers hard at work to feed their broods. The first was getting a much needed snack so he could continue foraging for the kids. The second took those very green caterpillars directly to a nest hidden in the bushes.
During my time watching them, I heard communication calls between the youngsters and parents and it was cool to hear. They pretty much dash from hunting area to nest as fast as possible, but occasionally I saw some females pausing to have a preen, and males to yell a territory warning. Most of the youngsters called loudly whenever a parent came near. It’s fun to watch, but made me tired just looking.
Specific Feedback
I did my best in the field to expose properly for those rich blacks and keep some detail there. Did I do ok? How’s the processing look to you? I wish the first bird was facing me, but he wasn’t so I took what was on offer. Both birds are in tamarack pines.
Technical Details
Handheld w/CPL in place, in the kayak
Dragonfly shot -
Caterpillar shot -
Lr for basic RAW work including some masking and white balance adjustment. Also some cropping was needed, but not big crops since I was close. Then into Topaz Sharpen AI and Photoshop to do a crap ton of distraction removal in the dragonfly shot.
The blacks look good to me, Kris, though I do like rich blacks and a lot of people would prefer to see detail throughout without having to let their eyes adjust. Just a matter of taste. Both of these are great behavioral shots.
Thanks @Dennis_Plank - I like richer blacks, too, because it is hard to see detail when you’re looking at them and so looks natural to me. Of course I have a few of them calling, but I liked these hunting shots better.
In my opinion, Redwing blackbirds, and crows are some of the most difficult species to photograph due to their black plumage. Unless the light is just perfect, your choice is to either have rich blacks or reflective highlights.
Cool behavioral shots! Blacks in both look fine to me. (I usually push mine to reveal details but keeping contrast can be hard.) How do birds catch the second or more caterpillar while holding onto the previous ones?)
Thanks @David_Schoen & @Diane_Miller - blacks in birds are very hard to deal with. I long to photograph ravens or crows, but none are very cooperative even though both are all over.
Yeah, I kind of wondered that myself, Diane. It’s not like they have pockets! There is a notch in the beaks of these critters though and that may be what helps it get done. When I post some of the males calling you will see it, but I’m sure other folks have posted shots like it here, too.
Love this feeding behavior you captured Kris. The first one tearing the wing off the dragonfly is awesome. I guess doing that so the bug couldn’t fly away - interesting behavior. Love seeing the caterpillars in beak in the second shot too. I’m wondering in the first shot if the green stalk sticking up near the bird can be removed (maybe using the new PS removal tool). Either way it’s a really nice catch as is the second photo as well.
Thanks @Allen_Sparks - the behavior was pretty cool to watch - all the parents were busy! Not sure if the wings are just inedible and he was getting rid of them before eating the good parts. I took out a crap ton of branches and other stuff in the dragonfly photo, but left the two reeds in. I guess I could take one out, but I was afraid it would look too bare.
