The Stray Feather

[Marina Scarr]

This juvenile Crested Caracara was photographed from a blind in Texas this past Spring. Light was already a bit high but the action was too good to stop. Watching the young ones come in for their landings was so humorous b/c they were often all over the place. This one did pretty well, though. A colleague suggested I lose "the feather." I personally feel that the stray feather adds a lot to this image and was wondering how others felt about it?

Canon 1D3, Canon 400DO F4 IS
F6.3, 1/1600sec, ISO 640, manual mode
Feisol tripod, Mongoose head

C & C always welcomed and much appreciated.

Marina Scarr
www.marinascarrphotography.com (http://www.marinascarrphotography.com)

[Doug Brown]

I absolutely wouldn't lose the feather Marina. It really makes the image for me. I love its displaced location and its silvery color. Excellent landing pose and sharpness. Like the framing. I do find the darks a little blocked, and I might ease off on the sharpening of the crest feathers. I would also consider darkening the perch a little.

[Dan Busby]

I would also keep the feather Marina - it's real life out there! Nice landing pose. Light a bit harsh but good comments from Doug re: perch and blacks. Great landing pose timing and I like the position of the beak and how it stands out against the dark shoulder feathers. Lovely detail in the wing secondaries and tertials.

[Don Railton]

Hi Marina

Love this image but agree with Doug's suggestions. There are a few other feathers that are damaged/out of place also, 5th on RH wing tip and a tail feather. I would leave them all as they are.

DON

[dankearl]

What a great shot, the feather is perfect to me, the photo is sharp as can be, and the pose is really action packed.

[Stu Bowie]

Tack sharp Marina, and what a great landing posture you have captured. This shows off the wingspread very well. I wouldnt lose the feather either. Another vote for toning down the perch.

[RakeshDhareshwar]

Beautifully exposed and captured here !! The feather definitely adds a lot !

[gail bisson]

I agree-Keep the feather and tone down the perch! Very nice image- good specs and dynamic shot.
Gail

[Ofer Levy]

Nice one! Excellent suggestions from Doug.

[Chris Martinez]

I think the inclusion of the stray wing feather coupled with the broken(?) tail feather help paint the picture of a clumsy youngster as you describe.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I like it too. What a swee innocent capture and the broken, stray feathers do add to the character of the youngster.

[Kiran Poonacha]

beautifully done Marina.. great details and pose works well:5