Same Killdeer, different frame

[Kurt Bowman]

Here is a different frame from the Killdeer image I posted last, This time with a brown BG and open beak.
Sony a9ii, 200-600mm
1/8000 at f/6.3 ISO 1000
Av mode, EC - 2/3

[gail bisson]

Kudos for getting this guy in flight. Not easy to do.
I would clone out the extra catchlight and back off on the sharpening.
There is a halo around the bill and details seem a bit crunchy to me.
What is the splotchiness on the lower part of the extended wing? Is this natural?
Great BG and I would smooth out the horizontal pale white branch in the BG.
I have lots of suggestions but it is still a good frame! Worth a bit of TLC!

[Kurt Bowman]

Thanks Gail. The lower part of the wing is natural. I appreciate the feedback. I haven’t shot much this year and for some reason I’ve been really second-guessing my processing lately. I seem to go through these cycles. I’ll admit I need to learn Photoshop much better. I process 98% in LR. Some because that’s where I’m most comfortable and second because it’s much faster. Two bad reasons.

[dankearl]

Grea BG and flight pose,,,yes to better processing...

[David Roach]

Killer BG and pose with that angle and open beak. TFS

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Kurt a really nice frame with Killer BG ..... I can almost hear the calling of the bird !!!

Just a bit overprocessed .... IMHO . Keep it simple :S3: .... and try to use any of contrast /sharpening tools with a gentle hand :w3

TFS Andreas

[arash_hazeghi]

nice dynamic frame Kurt! love the open beak. I wish the near wing was a bit lower

processing issues mentioned above, looks like a bit too much sharpening/contrast and masking issue in the lower part of the far wing

TFS

[John Mack]

Nice to see the bill open. Nice background to boot as well. I like the framing.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Kurt, lovely flying pose, and with an open beak. Good clean BG too. PP work already covered.