Some more shots from the neighborhood

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Bufflehead 12.jpg
Bufflehead 12.jpg1799×1200 1.07 MB

Bufflehead 13.jpg
Bufflehead 13.jpg1799×1200 1.02 MB

Great Egret 95.jpg
Great Egret 95.jpg1800×1200 526 KB

Red-breasted Nuthatch 4.jpg
Red-breasted Nuthatch 4.jpg1800×1200 1.28 MB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

I have been getting over a very bad cold but felt well enough this afternoon to venture out and do some walking in my neighborhood. I found a bufflehead at one of the ponds and a great egret at the main lake. The nuthatch is another shot at the backyard set up from yesterday (attracted by sunflower chips and peanuts).

Specific Feedback

For the bufflehead, I liked the surrounding water so chose crops that I thought accentuated that aspect.
I chose to process the egret shot since it was a twofer with the turtle. I left the background dark so as not to compete with the subjects.
Any comments appreciated.

Technical Details

Canon R7, 200-800mm
Settings vary

Processed in DXO PureRaw 4 and Photoshop.

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2

Nice management of contrasts in the first three. The Egret and turtle is quite unique and my favorite. I wonder about removing the horizontal line in the BG --I assume it is a shoreline but it pulls my attention. I think you have a gem here for a bit more drama – I wonder about some crop from the right and digging out just a bit more detail from the whites and maybe bringing out the turtle more. There is a lovely spotlight effect to work with!

3

I particularly like ht4e first Bufflehead and the Egret and Turtle, Allen. I could see some of Diane’s processing suggestions on the latter, though the shoreline line didn’t register with me when I looked at it.

You have a great neighborhood.

4

@Diane_Miller @Dennis_Plank
Hi Diane, Dennis,
Thank you for the comments! The background line in the egret shot is the walking trail that goes all around the lake. Agree I could do some more in post on that shot. And yes, my neighborhood is wonderful!