Relaxed & Alert

[starriderrick]

A bit of beauty in nature.As you can see he is balancing on 1 leg.

Does the framing of these images look? Your thoughts?

The scond image is a 100% crop.

The third is my favorite crop.I also changed the white balance in #3

Yes or no on that change. What do you think?The sky was overcast.

I could not get any closer without disturbing the shot.
Handheld @300mm


Rick

[Greg McCary]

The sky kind of kills #2, but #1 is better. I think I might would try and work on the sky in PS but I am amazed you got this without the sky blowing out all together. How do you sneak up on these guys? Do you live in the wilderness or something? I tried to sneak up on a hawk one day and it got to be right comical and I finally just give up. Maybe if I had the Hubble Telescope?

[JennyK]

hes also banded.. 2nd pic too bright for me. i like the colors on the 1st better..I dont see a 3rd? can i try a crop?...oh now i see the 3rd...that is nice..and better than my suggestion.

[starriderrick]

This is at a golf course in the middle of the busy Bay Area!
Greg,Look at #3 it's posted now.I took this in RAW, adjusted WB pp.This is the best white balance IMHO. I forgot to download # 3 initially.

Rick
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Here is a 4th version Taken in RAW, WB adjusted.

[jkriminger]

4th is the ticket..nice job...BTW..JennyK was my critique, My wife's username..forget how were signed on sometimes.

[Greg McCary]

Well done Rick, I think this would make a beautiful 11x14. The crop also works too. I thought
these guys only came out at night. I sure have been seeing a lot of pictures of them.

[Greg McCary]

The cones at the bottom almost make a foundation for the whole picture. I like it Rick

[Xia_Ke]

More great shots Rick. #4 takes the cake IMO. A GREAT shot. I'm with Greg, that would make a nice print

[starriderrick]

Thanks Greg.
I do enjoy shooting this subject.A rare sight.Now I know where they are nesting, maybe get some family shots in a couple weeks.