Osprey with Chicks

Gallery: AvianPosted April 18, 2011201 views22 comments

Well, lost an Osprey chick this weekend...down to (2) now.
Here is the larger chick gazing at Mom while little sibling hangs down low.
Nikkor 200-400mm F4 lens with 1.4x tc

Focal length 550mm
Distance 15 meters
ISO 500
F9
1/500 ss
tripod

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 18, 2011 at 9:35 PM

The detail is amazing and the little chick looking at the adult is precious. . . care to share how you got this close though?

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on April 18, 2011 at 9:40 PM

Luke...
Thanks! There is a building right next to the nest that I can get roof shots at 15 meters away. I have been following the nesting season with these Ospreys for 3 years now.

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 18, 2011 at 9:47 PM

wow--super shot, Eric. love the looks/poses of both adult and chick. looks like a fantastic shooting opportunity. sweet bg and light, great details. for me the only thing that isn't perfect is that I'd prefer a little more room on the bottom for the adult's tail, but a really super and engaging shot.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on April 18, 2011 at 10:06 PM

Very nice image Eric, sounds like a great photo opp. Great sharpness and detail. I like the head turn of the adult and the pose of the chick. I agree that a little more room at the bottom may have been ideal for the virtual tail but very nice as is too.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 18, 2011 at 10:20 PM

Eric: Incredible details. I love the look of the chick looking up at Mom. Fantastic interaction. Congrats on this fine image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 18, 2011 at 10:46 PM

I'd say the chick's gullet is full!
Great luck to have this nest so accessible...
Wonderful interaction here, nice detail, and great poses from both.
Really nice!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on April 18, 2011 at 10:52 PM

This is such a sweet shot Eric!!
What is so cool is that you've studied these birds for 3 years. Studying bird behavior is the most important piece of the puzzle.
Focus and exposure follow, which you nailed. As far as the tail- it is what it is. Congrats!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 18, 2011 at 11:06 PM

Awesome Photo Eric

Perhap a winnie bit tight, but WOW, what a great situation you have here. A wonderful opportunity with a perfect view of this nest for you. Looking forward to seeing more

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 19, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Super shot Eric. Really nice detail and sharpness. I really like the chick looking up and the parent gazing off into the distance. I too might add just a bit to the bottom, but comp is always a personal thing and I like this a ton as posted. Really nice.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on April 19, 2011 at 7:26 AM

Excellent shot. Regards Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on April 19, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Gorgeous image with awonderful feeling of interaction between parent and chick. The detail is terrific and the bg really sets the birds off well. I, too, would vote for a bit more space at the bottom.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Oscar Dewhurst on April 19, 2011 at 4:38 PM

Wow - stunning

My only nit is that if you imagine where the tail would be, it would be cut off, so it feels a little odd.

Oscar

Registered on August 6, 2009, 85 Posts, 502 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 19, 2011 at 5:24 PM

Wonderful detail, Eric. The expression from the eaglet is priceless. What a view.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on April 19, 2011 at 5:28 PM

stunning shot

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 19, 2011 at 5:42 PM

An exceptional image Eric, great lighting and angle. The chick looking up at the adult really gives this image an emotional connection, well done and congrats.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 19, 2011 at 7:46 PM

That is so super special. The look in the baby's eye is priceless. Love it.

Lucky you to get this grea tview

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on April 20, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Simply FANTASTIC!!!! The detail and lighting are great, and the pose is priceless.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 21, 2011 at 3:52 AM

Wonderful detail and light Eric - love the expectant stare from the youngster

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on April 21, 2011 at 6:18 AM

Killer shot- Terrific detail everywhere, awesome pose and beautiful colors- My best congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 22, 2011 at 4:38 PM

I almost missed this one, stunning shot and very good IQ, a pleasure to view, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 1, 2011 at 6:35 PM

This is excellent Eric, I ditto all the others praise..
Wish it was mine - Well done!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on May 17, 2011 at 9:54 AM

Definitely the finest Osprey/nest/chicks photo I've ever seen!

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments