Birds of a Feather...

Hi everyone! It's been way too long since I've been active in the galleries here thanks to an INSANE spring and summer, but as I mentioned on an earlier post in wildlife, we've certainly continued to check in regularly and admire all your work.

On September the 8th we signed the papers selling our home in Pincher Creek and the purchase of a small acreage along the hills to the North of us, and Jenaya and I felt it only appropriate to head out and celebrate by photographing some of the local fauna. Of course, we try to find excuses to do this every day, but this one seemed particularly legit.

On the way to our new home we spotted a huge flock of European Starlings. How huge? I don't really know, but after Jenaya and I post our next couple of images you'll agree there were quite a few of them!

This was one of my first frames, taken where we first found them (we followed them around in their search for food for a while so we have several very different compositions). I liked the hodge-podge arrangement to their perching and their mixed direction of attention.

There was simply NO composition available in the field or in post that allowed a clean break on either end without cutting birds off. I may get tempted to clone the "edge" birds from the left, depending on your thoughts on the potential of the image.

While starlings are far from an uncommon species, we rarely see them in our corner of Alberta and I thought you might enjoy the moment.

Please view larger if you have time...it's much more appealing IMO.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions!

Nikon D300
Nikkor AF-S 200-400mm f/4G VR IF-ED @ 400mm
ISO 640
1/125sec @ f/8
Beanbag from truck window

Processing Notes:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minor adjustments with Nik Viviza 2 and Color Efex Pro 4 in PS5
Cropped to app. 95% of original
Selective sharpening and de-sharpening of birds as those light tips on their breasts are hard to control!