Eye Level Swallow

[Paul Lagasi]

I recently returned from a short trip to the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys. There were a group of 50 or so Barn Swallows resting in the low shrubs which surround Fort Jefferson. With temperatures in the high 90's and almost 80% humidity. They frequently perched. This gave me an excellent opportunity to get a few eye level photos....a few Topaz effects on the background.

I know I have been absent for quite some time but work has been crazy with over 5 million in renovations to the Power Plant, to much new equipment and software to learn.
LOLOL and a few trips (still all about birds) added in, just haven't given me any opportunity to sit in front of my computer for any length of time.

Hopefully by the end of May things will get back to normal.......Ciao for now

[Kerry Perkins]

Glad to have you back, I know you do get around. Very cute bird, lovely blur of colors in the background. I know you have more!

[Dennis Bishop]

I like the way all the oranges tie everything together. Maybe back off the brightness of the lightest parts of the branches?

[Jackie Schuknecht]

The bg compliments the swallow very well. I rarely see them perched! Lovely pose and catchlight too.

[Nancy Bell]

Great to get so close to the Barn Swallow! Love the highlight in the eye. I would consider having the dark parts of the swallow lighter to show a bit more detail, if you can. What great birds did you see in the Torgugas?

[Paul Lagasi]

Thanks Everyone
Nancy the Tortugas as always didn't disappoint. There were at least 7 species of warbler, a merlin, peregrine, frigatebird's hovering at eye level, noddies, terns were flying every which way. But the good birds I'd come to see were way out there. With a canoe I may have been able to get close to the 2 Black Noddy's and the Juvenile Red-footed Booby (life bird).
At 98 degrees with high humidity, carrying all the camera gear plus a scope can be bad for your health. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves but We'd both be lying if we said we were sad to leave.
It may have been more fun had there been a fallout of warblers in the courtyard. Migrating warbler were almost non-existent on this trip, 1 week too early

[Cheryl Slechta]

Hey, Paul, I've never seen one sitting still. I like your framing and the background is lovely. Sorry your trip wasn't as good as you had hoped. Good to see you back in OOTB

[Anita Bower]

This Swallow looks streamlined. I like how it stands out against the bg. I like the catch light in the eye, and how the color of the breast picks up the warm colors in the bg.
Hope things at work settle down so your life is less hectic.