For Doug Brown.

While out on the Hooptie Deux, Doug asked - why don't I post more images?
Manly because I stare at a blue screen in the forum admin area most of the time! Al,Chris and Blake know what I'm talking about.
Well I'm taking the time to critique a few images and post one.

This image was captured last week with Doug Brown, Jim Neiger and David out in Tampa Bay.

The Osprey are building a nest on a channel marker. Next high "spring tide" I will be close to being eye level.

We went out earlier than I normally do, so the sun was high and cool. I could not pass up an Osprey with a stick that big!

Nikon D300
Nikon 70-300mm ED VR @300mm
ISO 400, Manually exposed at 1/1600SS @ F8
White balance 5880k to help the color temp.
Contrast turned down one notch, to hold the high sun contrast down a bit.
AF-C Using Dynamic 51 point 3D
RAW
No noise reduction or active d-lighting.
95% of the frame. I took a bit off the right hand side.

I judged the exposure by histogram, I'm on a laptop and the brightness changes every time I squirm.
Let me know how it came out please. Then maybe I will know what angle to view the screen at.

Thanks James

Amazing capture James. Intense look and excellent details. Out of box pose with nesting material.
All in all a wonderful image.

Looks great to me James, even on my squirmie laptop! Very sharp! I am excited to see this and some of the other recent images from the "flight school" area as I will be in attendance in a few days:D

Fantastic light and pose- you can almost feel the effort of carrying that stick/post/log! Any idea what that strand is that seems to be coming off the stick?

James;

I like the angle of the stick (and of course its a pretty impressive stick too!) Everything else looks good too.

cheers
Gavin

It's fishing line.

Well done James! Thanks for an excellent day on the Hooptie Deux! That Osprey looks like a witch riding a broomstick. Neiger keeps telling me what a great photographer you are; now I have proof.

Gorgeous details on the bird and I really love the composition. I'm wondering if the curved stringy twig near the lower portion of the branch should be removed. Also, there's a bit of a glow-y blur under the birds left (viewers right) wing - where it hinges(?). Does that make sense? Geez, I forgot how hard critiquing is.

Can't wait to get out on the boat with you again, Cap'n Crunch.

Wow! That is an awesome shot James.
I'd love to be able to post a picture of a bird in flight like this and say it's mine.
You have mastered that skill. Thanks for sharing.

Sharna

That's a tree trunk!!!! love the wing form, nice comp and exposure....

Tony