Love Birds

Gallery: AvianPosted March 5, 2014103 views7 comments

This was taken during the courtship "dance" between these two. I decided to zoom in on the heads to try and capture the interaction and connection between them. It was almost an intimate, tender moment. As I've said before, I believe there's more going on with wildlife than we give them credit for.

This is a substantial crop, but I think it held up fairly well. Processed using Photoshop CS3, NeatImage and LightZone.

Comments and Critiques Welcome.

Canon 7D
Canon 200-400 f4 L IS
f7.1
1/400s
ISO 640
Focal Length 200mm

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 5, 2014 at 10:42 PM

Everything is working here Jerry.

The head positions are great and the way the eyes stack on a slight diagonal sends it over the top. The BG is also just what the doctor ordered. It parallels her coloration while letting him pop out. Based on the larger image I'd say it held up to the hard crop very well. Great job.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 6, 2014 at 12:07 AM

Very well done, Jerry. I haven't witnessed their dance, but this certainly shows there is more to such rituals than just something than just going through the moves. Regardless of the crop, this looks like a winner.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 6, 2014 at 7:06 AM

Great way of showing this typical behavior ! I tried it here yesterday with Northern Shoveler, but haven't got anything close to this quality ! Super ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 6, 2014 at 9:03 AM

A very neat moment, Jerry. I like the composition a lot. I think the crop is starting to show in the larger version, but it still comes across nicely.

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

Comment posted by Rick Turner on March 6, 2014 at 10:03 AM

As a woody photographer too, this is very well done. I applaud you Jerry

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 6, 2014 at 10:37 AM

Agree with Dennis. Very well done! Whispering something naughty in her ear?

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 6, 2014 at 12:24 PM

I like the tender scene with the eyes so close together but the large crop has affected the IQ. Maybe a pano type of presentation showing more of their bodies to lesser the crop factor? A very unique approach and another cool Wood duck shot.

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