Yellow weaver nest building

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

We might not have received our first summer rains yet on this side of the globe, but this is still a beautiful and special time of the year. As one walks the streets and listens carefully, you hear nestlings calling for food as far as you go. In other areas nests are being built or finalized for the coming season.

Usual sharpening & light adjustments in LR to reign in the effects of the mid afternoon sun & raise shadows some. Same in PS. Heavy crop. I'm not too fond of the 'stripy' BG but that's the affect of some dry grasses.

All C & C's welcome.

Nikon D600
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D ED-IF + TC14E II (420mm)
f/6.3 | 1/400s | 250 ISO | monopod

[Tom van den Brandt]

Toby, nice pose with the little grass in his beak. The light was not at your advantage. The BG would probably have been better if you were closer to the bird. Like you said now it's a bit stripy. Still it's a nice image.

Cheers, Tom

[Ian Wilson]

Tough light for sure but you have done well to get something reasonable. I am wondering what it would look like in landscape with the bird a bit smaller in the frame. Well done. Ian

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

The BG would probably have been better if you were closer to the bird.

Thanks Tom - agreed! I'm afraid he was on the other side of a stream so this was it...

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I am wondering what it would look like in landscape with the bird a bit smaller in the frame.

Thanks Ian. The sides do not really add value but I thought it's worth a look: -

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Tobie, I feel your vertical comp works best, and I do like the proud pose showing off the grass. Harsh light mentioned, and an interesting texture to the BG.

[Shawn Zierman]

I like the bird's pose and the natural history element to the image. The background is overpowering in either presentation, but definitely more so in the horizontal frame.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Thanks for looking & the comments everyone! Stuart & Shawn - nice to get confirmation that my original crop was the right idea!