# Western Bluebirds feeding the youngsters + RP **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [April 20, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536 "2026-04-20T14:12:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 2:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/1 "2026-04-20T14:12:10Z")
And a lighting tweak: ![_49A5529-Edit-Edit](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/6/6/663dd36f75064c4038379d2c72ea5b0b63a78d86.jpeg) ![_49A5529-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/f/e/fea39af03a83d6bdf1bd65e0d37b49d53f4ef0bc.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description This year I got my act together in time to catch the first batch of Bluebirds. The BG is trees about 300 ft away, one with lovely bright chartreuse leaves. ### Specific Feedback All comments welcome! ### Technical Details ![Screenshot 2026-04-19 at 8.12.09 PM](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/8/4/84544d296110d40eed19c9e5494c998c866ac20e.png) Single image, flash for fill light. Denoise and Highlights and Shadows tweaked in LR. Into PS for a crop to about 50%. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/2 "2026-04-20T15:34:50Z")
Very nice, Diane, getting the pair posed like this. Good detail and color and a nice background and perch. The insect adds interest. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/3 "2026-04-20T21:47:11Z")
It’s unusual to get them posed like this when they’re feeding young, Diane. A fine image with a very photogenic perch. The fill light was handled very well-there’s no sign of it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/4 "2026-04-20T23:24:13Z")
Thanks, @Allen_Brooks and @Dennis_Plank ! I was expecting to just shoot the brief moments when somebody was on the perch with a bug so I had a slow shutter speed due to a cloudy day and was surprised by the sudden action – he was sitting on the perch with a bug and she came barreling in and flitted around a bit and he handed her the bug and she took it to the nest. I sat on the shutter and the action spanned 31 frames at 12 fps, and this is the only one where both were briefly still. This location needs fill light and if it’s to be flash I can’t use electronic shutter, so only have 12 fps. But at least with Bolt power packs and low power they recycle that fast. ---
**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/5 "2026-04-20T23:34:44Z")
Always great to get these beauties especially with goodies in the beak. Love seeing the two together with a fine front pose by the female. Great detail, color, and background. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 3:03am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/6 "2026-04-21T03:03:33Z")
Thanks, @Allen_Sparks ! I’ve decided the light was too flat on these guys and given it a slight boost – posted above. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 11:48am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/7 "2026-04-21T11:48:03Z")
A subtle but effective edit, Diane. ---
**Author:** ![Diane\_Miller](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/diane_miller/32/27391_2.png) [@Diane\_Miller](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Diane_Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/8 "2026-04-21T13:52:45Z")
Thanks, @Dennis_Plank ! There is a Murphy’s Corollary that says the most important areas of an image will photograph with the lowest contrast. ---
**Author:** ![Glenys\_Passier](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/glenys_passier/32/33963_2.png) [@Glenys\_Passier](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Glenys_Passier)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-bluebirds-feeding-the-youngsters-rp/50536/9 "2026-04-22T06:57:11Z")
Wonderful image @Diane_Miller ! Both birds, a bug and beautiful background. If you hadn’t posted the repost, I would have thought the orginal could not be bettered.