Roadrunner

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

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_Q1A1221-2.jpg
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_Q1A1218-2.jpg
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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

I noticed this Roadrunner hanging around in the brush near a trailhead in the California desert. I decided to follow it for a while, taking care not to get too close and disturb it. At one point it decided to turn its back to me and ruffle its feathers, which I later learned is a warning to intruders to stay away. Shortly thereafter the bird started to jump up on a bush and knocked something off which fell to the ground. At first I thought this was some kind of berry that it proceeded to eat. I only saw later while viewing the photos that it was indeed a winged insect. I did some research and learned that the Roadrunner has a varied diet which does consist of small insects and mammals, along with many other things. It’s always exciting to catch some wild creature in action.

Specific Feedback

I decided to crop all three images to a square format to give greater emphasis to the bird. Do you think a wider crop to reveal more of the environment would work better?
Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Technical Details

I photographed all three images here using a Canon R6 Mark ii camera and a 100-400mm lens.
The settings were f/11, 1/800 sec at ISO 800.

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2

Hi Ted. Your corps work for me. To show the bug you’re going to have to crop closely on the second two in any case. I wish you’d been a bit lower when the bird fluffed at you, but I suspect it didn’t last long. A nice series.

3

Really nice series. I especially like the fluffed image. The crops are not too tight for me.

4

Hi, Ted - really nice images! Crops look fine to me. I love the insects in the beak - both might use some selective sharpening.
RR’s are such fun to watch and - hopefully - catch!

5

Thanks Dennis. Yes, the moment when the bird fluffed its feathers was quite brief so I fired off a shot very quickly before it moved on.

6

Thank you Jim. Glad you are good with the tighter crop. I feel with wildlife photography you always have to give a lot of thought as to whether to include more or less of the surrounding environment.

7

Thanks Sandy. I sure did have a lot of fun following this bird around for a few minutes.