Sandhill Crane with a Snack

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

sandhillwPrey.jpg
sandhillwPrey.jpg2000×839 469 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

Jenny and I were watching one of our local sandhills dive into some oak leaves and began to mantle like a raptor with prey. The bird was between 1.5 and 2.0 meters away and I managed to fire off a bunch of shots. After uploading the images, I noticed that the crane captured a litter moth which can be seen in the crane’s bill along the pieces of oak leaves. I decided to go with a pano crop due to there not being much room at the top and to make the head, bill and prey more prominent in the frame. I do not like adding background to shots taken in the field.

Specific Feedback

Some of you may not like the chosen crop as it goes against what is expected for a bird portrait. Would you prefer less room on the RH side. Thank you for looking

Technical Details

Nikon Z9 180-400 mm f4 + 1.4x TC Engaged (1/5000 sec at f9.0, ISO 25600) DeNoise, Levels, Shadows & Highlights, Curve adjustment for contrast on Midtones.

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1 Like
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This works for me, Jim, though personally I’d add a touch of canvas at the top. So what’s leaf and what’s moth? I’m having trouble distinguishing.

3

Excellent portrait, Jim. Great detail and for me, the pano crop works well and the area on the right looks good. If available, I could see a bit more room on the top.

4

Nice close up Jim. Love the detail on the bird with a good view of the open space in the beak. Agree with more room on top.

5

Thank you @Dennis_Plank , @Allen_Brooks , and @Allen_Sparks for your critiques. @Dennis_Plank , look at the LH portion of the oak leaf where the upper and lower parts of the bill meet and you will see two small black spots. Those spots are on the forewing of the moth…Jim