Successful breeding

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

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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

A few weeks ago I posted an image of a black swan on the nest and wondered what this would bring in September. Well, the family is swimming around now. I hope that autumn will be gentle for the little ones.
The parents are a bit shy at the moment and try to hide when there are people in sight. This is one of the few images without too much vegetation blocking the view.

Specific Feedback

Any comment welcome.
I used a moderately small aperture, to have all birds in focus. The BG is pretty far away, are the reflections soft enough?

Technical Details

Pentax K3 Mk. III, 4.5/150-450 @450mm, ISO1600, 1/250sec, f/11.
Approx. 50% crop. RAW conversion in DxO PL6, very few further adjustments.

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3 Likes
2

Han, I’m glad the cygnets hatched successfully, an there are at least some left. I hope the parents are extra-vigilant in protecting them at this vulnerable stage.
This is a sweet image, with all the eyes and one snuggling into the parent. I like the reflections and bit of vegetation.
Fine capture!

3

I’m, glad to see this was successful, Han. I think your aperture worked just fine with a nice soft background and beautiful rendition of the swan and cygnets.

4

Good family portratit and the snuggling one is particularly cute. The color and softness of the background is very pleasing and the bits of foreground vegetation is nice as well.

5

Very nice image Han. Love the peaceful setting to show off this family. The one little one face planting into the adult is priceless. Fine sharpness and exposure. Well done.

6

Thank you @Allen_Brooks , @Dennis_Plank , @Allen_Sparks and @Sandy_Richards-Brown for your comments.
Somehow new life always triggers our emotions :slightly_smiling_face: and the release button. Last observation was 3 cygnets, to show that there is still a long way to go to become an adult swan.