Perching merlin

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

462A1926V1-SharpenAI-focus.jpeg
462A1926V1-SharpenAI-focus.jpeg1284×927 1.28 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

It was exciting to photograph this nesting pair of merlins. Only the 3rd reported in Illinois.
Today, one was on the edge of the nest, but in poor condition. The other after making a couple of flights around the area perched in a nearby tree. At first limbs were blocking a clear shot. I moved my car to a new location and was able to get clear views of it.

Specific Feedback

Should I have cropped this image tighter? The colors seem OK as well as the sky.

Technical Details

Canon R7, Canon RF 200-800mm lens @ 800mm
1/2000 @ F-9 ISO 640
hand held, car as a blind.

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2

Hi, John - this really is a terrific image! Beautiful bird, tack-sharp, nice eye, and great environment.
If you wanted, you might choose to clean up some of the smaller twigs and branches, but certainly not necessary.
A very impressive image!

3

Very nice. I don’t see these guys around much. The only thing I would think about doing would be to clone out the little upper left corner diagonal branch. Just a thought.

4

Excellent, John. I’m glad you could get a relatively open shot of this one. Nice crisp bird and the surroundings aren’t distracting, though I could see removing that one twig that comes out of it’s back between the two branches-still a very minor nit. I hope to see more of this pair.

5

Hi John
Nice looking, Merlin. The eye contact and feather detail are good. My only net is the camera angle, but they’re no getting around that.
Peter

6

Thank you for your comments.