Killdeer

[Malcolm Benn]

Canon 50D, 300mm f2.8 +1.4X, Aperture priority, f 6.3, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400

Thanks for looking.

http://i467.photobucket.com/albums/rr40/mgbenn/IMG_0286_edited-1.jpg

[Harold Davis]

awesome exposure and tack sharp on my end!!! the background is a little busy, but you couldnt help it. at least it's fairly clean around the head, a big plus!! nice job. just try to watch the bg next time. btw, the low capture angle is really nice too.

[Gus Cobos]

Well done, I like the ultra low capture, image and composition...The background does not bother me...I like the razor sharp eye and details, the color rendition is superb...congrats...:cool:

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice nature BG, maybe a little sharp and watch the virtual feet. I would clean up LRHC branches as well.

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Malcolm

Good looking bird, I like the pose, exposure and framing. Might back down the sharpening a bit and tech wise would shoot wide open to minimize the bg !!! As presented can use some Gaussean blur .... just enough as if it was made at 2.8

With these going to ground lever does away with all the bg clutter but probably was not an option !!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Malcom - agree with all of the above, does appear a little too sharp for my tastes, very similar to our black fronted dottrell - fast little guys.
Keep them coming :)

[Kerry Perkins]

Hello Malcolm. You did well here with difficult circumstances. Bg is often "what it is", as is the case here - just noting however that the large dark foliage directly under the bird is the most distracting to my eye.

Does look a tad over-sharpened to my eye. Would suggest sharpening on a separate layer so you can dial the opacity down to where you want it. Looking forward to more from you!

[Malcolm Benn]

Thanks everyone for having a look and for the comments I appreciate it. It's certainly a steep learning curve but I love the input.