# Western Meadowlark **URL:** \ **Category:** Image Critiques\ **Tags:** birds\ **Created:** [January 28, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142 "2025-01-28T16:20:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [January 28, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142/1 "2025-01-28T16:20:15Z")
![-20250125-_SA12732-Ridgefield-ARW-Edit-Edit.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/a/2/a282e9a36aa71f70b455dee6e246669c58101179.jpeg) > **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_ > > The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image. ### Description Another from last Saturday’s Field Trip to Ridgefield NWR. This is only the second time I’ve seen meadowlarks at this location (this was one of a group of 4) and the other one was also mid-winter (I believe January, but I’d have to look). That said, I’m rarely there in the spring when they’re at their singing best. I need to check that out. These are quite rare in Western Washington as they’re prairie species and we never had a lot of prairie (estimated at 150,000 acres in SW Washington) and of that there’s less than 15,000, most of which is lousy prairie often covered with Scotch (or Scot’s) Broom. ### Specific Feedback The background was pretty messy with a lot of bright and dark areas in the grasses and blackberries. Some I removed and some I painted over with a low opacity brush picking the tones from the general background. Does the background look reasonable? ### Technical Details Sony A1, FE 200-600 + 1.4 TC @ 840 mm, hand held from car window, f/9, 1/4000, iso 1250. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to 4505x3186. Taken January 25th at 12:12 pm under bright sun. * * * ### Critique Template Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas. - Vision and Purpose: - Conceptual: - Emotional Impact and Mood: - Composition: - Balance and Visual Weight: - Depth and Dimension: - Color: - Lighting: - Processing: - Technical: ---
**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:** [January 28, 2025, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142/2 "2025-01-28T16:43:24Z")
One of my favorite birds! And one I also rarely get to see. A very nice capture with a good pose and good detail and lighting. Quite an interesting perch, too. (Birds must have tough feet.) I can relate to that kind of BG and I think you handled it well. I think you could go a step further and soften or remove the four semi-vertical stems in the top half. The new Remove tool in PS should handle them well. Nice catch!! ---
**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:** [January 28, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142/3 "2025-01-28T17:53:18Z")
Thanks, @Diane_Miller. I thought about removing those, but I wanted to retain some sense of the environment. I could see dimming the one on the left, which is most prominent some more. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morrissey](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/peter_morrissey/32/683_2.png) [@Peter\_Morrissey](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Peter_Morrissey)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142/4 "2025-01-28T19:51:25Z")
HI Dennis The Western Meadowlark is gorgeous. I actually would like to see more of the background. I think the grass look nice. Peter ---
**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:** [January 30, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/western-meadowlark/45142/5 "2025-01-30T17:16:25Z")
Great look at the meadowlark, Dennis. The background works well to complement the bird and give the bird some pop. I could see removing the stem on the left as it does tend to draw my eye.