Chula Vista Nature Center

[Coastal Flyer]

Today is a holiday in observance of Veterans Day, I made use of my day by going to the Chula Vista Nature Center. Among many other displays are birds captured that were sick or injured. The Center nursed them back to health and cares for them while on display. Great place to get up close to some very beautiful birds. Here are three from my day's experience.

CF

[Ronnoco]

First and third are the best. The approach to judging animal photography is always to look carefully at the eyes. The second one fails from having one eye completely in the shadow as well as the related loss of detail. The first one has great colour but the darkness in the area of the eye is a problem.

The third has both great colour and the eye properly lit and effective. This is by far the best and greatest shot.

Ronnoco

[Coastal Flyer]

Ronnoco:

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. I rather thought the second shot with the half shadow brought some interest to the shot, kind of like human portraits that have half a face illuminated. But I see your point. The first shot, I agree, with the shadow spot on the eye is not good. I considered a bit of fill flash but given the bird was being held by a handler, I did not want to cause anymore stress on the bird than necessary.

I appreicate your comments. Thanks.

CF

[Ronnoco]

Ronnoco:

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it. I rather thought the second shot with the half shadow brought some interest to the shot, kind of like human portraits that have half a face illuminated. But I see your point. The first shot, I agree, with the shadow spot on the eye is not good. I considered a bit of fill flash but given the bird was being held by a handler, I did not want to cause anymore stress on the bird than necessary.

I appreicate your comments. Thanks.

CF

An approach to the second shot would be, in Photoshop, to selectively brighten a little, the shadow on the front of the owl so that you bring some detail into that area of the shot such as the location of the eye. A shadow with some detail is always better than a shadow with very little detail at all.

Ronnoco

[Coastal Flyer]

Ronnoco,

I will give that a try. Thanks again for the tips.

CF

[GB1]

Some neat shots CF. # 3 is the best to me, though # 1 is also very nice (though looks a tad washed out on my monitor). # 2 is OK but I agree that the eye being in the shadow like that is wanting. # 3 is like a corporate shot of the bird.

Funny, I live in Chula Vista and don't even know about this place. Not surprising.
GB

[Coastal Flyer]

GB,

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate your thoughts. The Nature Center is very nice, quite small and won't remind you of the Wild Animal Park or the Zoo, but still it has its features. If you go anytime soon, the usual parking lot is closed as SDG&E is undergrounding utilities at the moment. There is a shuttle pick up just 100 yards down the road. Follow the signs.

I had never been there previously and thought I would make good use of my holiday. Next up is Quail Gardens, have lived here for over 30 years and never been there either. I hear that is quite the place.

CF