The mouth with Wings: Eastern Kingbirds

Image Critiques
1

Kingbirds.jpg
Kingbirds.jpg2000×1599 700 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

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

Description

While photographing dragonflies at a local lake, I ran into a family of Eastern kingbirds with one very hungry youngster lobbying for food. The parent would always turn its head when placing a morsel of food in the fledgeling’s mouth. The BG is the OOF surface of the lake.

Specific Feedback

I could make the crop more symmetrical, but like this one as both birds left the area to the right. What do you think This one might also need a tweak to the overall contrast too.

Technical Details

Z9 200-400mm f4 + 1.4 TC set at 560mm (1/1000 sec at f16, ISO 3200) DeNoise, Levels, Microcontrast enhancement, crop for comp…Jim

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2 Likes
3

Wonderful, and extra points for the title! Growing teenagers need to eat a lot. I had the same feeling as @Sandy_Richards-Brown about the crop – that bit of bark adds interest and balance. The slightly off-center subjects help emphasize the action. Well captured and presented!

4

An apt description for just about any young bird, Jim. You caught a great angle on the youngster and the parent’s beak with the bug is in just about the best position possible. Very well done.

5

Great catch Jim. Love behavioral shots like this. Crop looks good and you caught the perfect moment.

6

Hi Jim
I think everything works on this photograph. The framing has the eye working up the parent and down to the youngster. The whites and grays are will balance Kingbirds have good feather detail.
Peter

7

Great capture, Jim. The composition works really well. Love the view/angle of the youngster about to be feed. Well done!