Asleep at the Switch ...

[Arthur Morris]

Turkey Vulture juvenile resting on horizontal branch with moss

This image was created on 31 AUGUST 2020 near the vulture tree at the south end of the South Field. I used the Induro (https://www.outdoorphotogear.com/search.php?search_query=indurogrand&rfsn=132487.5cf37.9906) GIT 404/FlexShooter Pro (http://birdsasart-shop.com/flexshooter-pro/)-mounted Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1485539-REG/sony_sel600f40gm_fe_600mm_f_4_gm.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SO6004GM/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSO6004GM), the Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222778-REG/sony_sel20tc_fe_2x_teleconverter.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOTC2/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOTC2), and the blazingly fast AF King, the Sony Alpha a9 II Mirrorless Digital camera body) (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1509600-REG/sony_ilce9m2_b_alpha_a9_ii_mirrorless.html/BI/6633/KBID/7226/kw/SOA92/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSOA92) ISO 800. Exposure determined by Zebras with ISO on the rear wheel: 1/400 sec. at f/10 in Manual mode was confirmed as perfect in RawDigger. AWB at seven thirty-two am on a mostly clear morning.

To learn more about the creation of this image and to see a tighter vertical of the same silly bird, see the blog post here. (https://www.birdsasart-blog.com/2020/09/03/asleep-at-the-switch-on-keeping-your-eyes-open-getting-closer-the-last-two-hints/comment-page-1/#comment-1795704)

As for the image, don't be shy; all comments are welcome and appreciated.

with love, a

[Brian Sump]

Ha, great title Artie!

Very unique pose on the (what's it called?!) on the left adds tons of interest.

What time of day?

[Dorian Anderson]

Yea, totally different. He's stone-cold chilling. Even appears a bit sad! I can take ot leave the stuff at left, interesting as it is.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Artie, this youngin will eventually figure things out but for now, interesting pose for you to capture, like the golden brown feather tips!

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Beautiful Image. Like the feather details.

Everything else looks good

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

Nice one Artie: Cool expression on the Vulture's face. I'm fine with the "stuff" at the left, but would have less of it showing, as it does seem to "dominate" the frame a little. Are you able to eek out a little more detail from the bird's tail/wing below the perch?

[Arthur Morris]

Nice one Artie: Cool expression on the Vulture's face. I'm fine with the "stuff" at the left, but would have less of it showing, as it does seem to "dominate" the frame a little. Are you able to eek out a little more detail from the bird's tail/wing below the perch?

Thanks Paul. I rather like the balance of moss and bird :) As far as getting detail out of the undertail, folks need to understand that BLACks in shadow while most of the bird is in the sun should look black! If you open them up enough to show detail they become butt-ugly ...

I've been using Raw Digger to learn to mega-Expose to the right (m-ETTR). That will minimize noise, maximize image quality, best utilize the dynamic range of your camera’s sensor, and attain the highest possible level of shadow detail in your RAW files in every situation. In addition, your properly exposed raw files will contain more tonal information and feature smooth transitions between tones. And your optimized images will feature rich, accurate color.

In the Raw Digger screen capture here note the 15,000 underexposed RED pixels and see the BLUE underexposure warnings in the under tail feathers. It is possible that I could have added 1/3 stop more light without creating any damaging over-exposure but all in all this is a pretty darned good exposure. Note also that the RAW file looks properly washed out. And yes, the RawDigger e-Guide should be finished soon :) It explains the rest of the numbers :)

with love, a

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Artie. Thank you for the info and explanation. I must check out RawDigger. Cheers.

[John Mack]

The moss balances with the bird nicely. The framing is right on. The pose is pretty neat as well.