Sandhill Crane Gathering and Repost

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Repost Straightened (Thanks, Diane):

-20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit-Edit-Edit
-20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit-Edit-Edit2048×1364 1.47 MB

Original:

-20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit.jpg
-20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit.jpg2048×1364 1.51 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

There seem to be more cranes than in past years at the wildlife refuge I visit in the winter and they were using a pool near the tour route when I was there last week. It’s toward the end of the loop so it was after nine when I got that far and I’m not sure whether they’re overnighting in it or not, but they were acting like it.

Specific Feedback

I spent a fair amount of time on the processing of this image, cleaning p the foreground water to get rid of the worst of the debris and trying to accent the four foreground birds so they act as a focal point without cropping out a lot of birds so I could keep a feel for a gathering. Hopefully I succeeded without it looking heavy handed.

Technical Details

Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 823 mm, beanbag on car window, f/9, 1/2500, iso 6400. NR with DxO PureRaw 4, processed in LR & PS CC.

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2

Nicely composed and processed. The eye is drawn to the in-focused birds and then can wander around to see the rest. Was this at Ridgefield?

3

Yes. They have quite a showing of cranes this year. I took a three shot panorama of this pool and counted 250 cranes in it. There were several other areas with quite a few as well, but not close to the road.

1 Like
4

A very nice shot with good processing but I think about a 2 deg CW rotation is needed to level the ripples.

_20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit-DM
_20250108-_A1_2005-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit-DM2048×1364 658 KB

5

Those four are very well-lit thanks to your processing, like the stars, with the chorus line in the BG (if not completely in sync!). Could they be a family? The left-hand one looks juvenile for sure. I especially love the body coloring of the bird nearest to you.

6

Thanks for the comments, @Allen_Brooks @Mike_Friel and @Diane_Miller. And for the straightening, Diane. I didn’t notice it.

7

Hi Dennis, nice collection of birds with the four sharp ones in front holding my attention. Well executed group photo.