A Stare and a Stretch

[Stu Bowie]

This perch at the Mankwe hide in the Pilanesberg National Park is always frequented by different species, and this particular day, the Lesser Striped Swallows were busy coming and going. To get these two in focus, I focussed between them on the perch. This was taken last december, and I remember being disappointed, as the day was overcast. Having said that, the light was nice and soft. The BG is as shot, as it is distant reeds. I could position myself to have either a water BG or this lovely foliage BG.

Canon 50D
100-400 @ 235mm
1/400
F/6.3
ISO 640

Exp comp 0
Hand held

[christopher galeski]

very nice image Stuart,magic BG,good perch,good DOF,well done.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Pure magic Stu! I just love it, the detail and texture, the poses and the complimentary colours - hey there's even lichen on the perch - couldn't ask for more!!

[gail bisson]

Hi Stu,
The techs are spot on for this image and the BG is (as usual for Pilanesberg) beautiful.The perch creates a nice diagonal line as well.Excellent IQ and colours. I am not loving the separation of the two birds however. They seem too disconnected from each another. Just my taste I think,
Gail

[girisholeti]

Lovely image... loved every bit of it.

[Randy Stout]

Stuart:

I am all for the reed background here. Nice soft light. interesting poses.

From a comp standpoint, I do agree with Gail, the image would have more impact if the birds were closer, would seem like one 'story' instead of two separate ones.

Cheers

Randy

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for the honest feedback and comments everyone.

I kinda liked the separation of the two swallows, but as I go to this location on numerous occasions, I will keep in mind to shoot a pair closer together and see how it turns out. Thats my challenge on my next visit to Pilanesberg - and I love challenges. :w3:w3

[jack williamson]

I do enjoy your images Stuart, this is another great one. Excellent IQ, love the perch, ha, and the bg.

Jack

[dankearl]

This is really nice, Stuart, just a great perch and two beautiful subjects.
They are placed really nicely in the Frame.

[Arno Ellmer]

Just to add my congrats on a fine image ,Stuart ! Hopefully next time you will capture them closer together ! :S3:

[Robert Holguin]

Very nice shot Stuart. Love the background, great perch, excellent comp, and I really like the poses on both birds.
Very well done.

[Frank Schauf]

Perfect comp and bg, nice work.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Stuart, good job choosing the AF point. that allowed you to keep that f-stop for nice BG blur. Well timed on getting the poses...which is so much harder with two birds. terrific BG indeed. I don't mind the separation between the two. If mine, I'd add a tad more room at top...if you have.

[Sachin Saraf]

Beautiful Image Stu Nice pose and both birds look sharp...agree with KD to add some more room at top.

[Karl Egressy]

It looks like your focusing plan worked very well here, Stuart. I like the fabulous colours in the background and the birds are beautiful . Love the composition with the diagonal perch.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack for all the feedback and kind words. Always appreciated.

[Conrad Tan]

Never ever seen these before. Amazing!