Osprey #2 +Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted May 23, 2010104 views11 comments

I begrudgingly got out of bed early again this morning. I almost went back to bed, as there were thunderstorms in the area, and I figured that I would just end up getting wet. But, after I got a cup or two of coffee in me, I went anyway. I headed out to the same Osprey's nest from my last post (its in my gallery), and this is one of the images that I got between showers.

Olympus e3
Olympus ZD300 f2.8
ISO 800
f4
1/640th
Tripod w/tilt and swivel head
80% of FF
Neat Image on bg

Comments and critiques welcome. Thanks.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 23, 2010 at 1:54 PM

Quite a capture, Mike! It took me a second look to figure out is not holding any prey. That makes it even more dramatic. You might try a bit of exposure adjustment to improve the contrast between the talons and the throat of the bird to emphasize that. However, even as posted it certainly is a startling image.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 23, 2010 at 3:14 PM

Very nice capoture Mike! I agree with Steve on the contrast. I was thinking maybe a levels adjustment. But this is an excellent shot and I love the angle of it!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on May 23, 2010 at 4:40 PM

I sure wish that I could post, then get some advice, then post for real! I messed with this for quite some time trying to get those talons away from the face, but ended up just posting it. Selecting just the area below the bill, and down to the bottom of the talons, and tweeking the levels did the trick, I think. Thanks, Kurt.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 23, 2010 at 6:58 PM

Really neat angle, Mike. I like the talons and the look of focus. Parts of the bird seem a bit soft, but judging by the settings, you didn't have any extra light to work with. Nice action image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 23, 2010 at 7:41 PM

This is quite unusua Mike, looking almost straight up at the bird through it's potential perch with the Opsrey's eyes and talons so focused on the branch. A little more SS would have been ideal but those laws of physics just aren't very flexible. Neat shot.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on May 23, 2010 at 8:22 PM

Actually Ron, this is about 40 degrees up, from about 65 feet distant, coming straight at me. So, the bird is about 40 feet up a tree (I'm guessing), not at all straight up. I though about that illusion, when I posted this. Thanks for the comments.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on May 23, 2010 at 10:36 PM

Hi Mike,
One of the greatest forces on earth is breaking the gravitational force of a nice comfortable bed. I like the nonventional approach in this image. Details and light look good.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 24, 2010 at 9:08 AM

unique angle, Mike, it really does feel like you're looking right up at him. wish there was a little more light, but you worked well with what you had.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 24, 2010 at 9:55 AM

Great landing pose Michael!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2010 at 4:56 PM

Mike:
This one should make it easier to get out of bed the next rainy day! I really like the perspective of this shot and the spread of the wings and tail.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on May 26, 2010 at 7:06 PM

I agree, Mike. The repost looks great!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments