Breakfast in Bed

[Michael Thompson]

I was lucky to see this feeding time scene with these Pileated Woodpeckers! 7D ll 100-4000ll at 400mm f6.3, 1/400, 1600 iso hand held.

[Michael Thompson]

hmmm the post looks a bit flat, might try a repost with more contrast, vibrance or dehaze added...

[Isaac Grant]

You stole my thunder Michael. That is what I was going to say. Aside from those issues, the scene is great. The three babies with mouth out and the parent there is such a nice scene. Love the old tree as well. What a pleasure it must have been to see this in person.

[John Robinson]

Yes I agree with your own thoughts. Love the chicks . Why do all woodies seem to have red heads?
Cheers
joHN

[keith mitchell]

Agree with your own self critique Michael ,great the way you have caught them with good eye contact with babes to mum,plenty of content in this one.

Keith.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Michael, a perfect comp to go vertical, and just so well captured of the feeding behaviour. You nailed this one.

[Mike Poole]

Perfect timing with the poses they are all holding. I agree with your own critique, but a very good shot nonetheless.

Mike

[David Salem]

Good eyes, thats what I see that it needs. A boost in the blacks via levels will do wonders for this. Great scene with all three chicks visible. Well done

[Michael Thompson]

Thanks for all the great comments. here is the repost, with some black and dehaze added. I am not sure why the original looks so flat, it looked fine in lightroom... ~MT

[Glennie Passier]

Mike, love this! The pose of the birds and composition are wonderful. What a great story! IMO, I think you have pushed the black a little too far, especially in the parent.

[Michael Thompson]

Yes I agree with your own thoughts. Love the chicks . Why do all woodies seem to have red heads?
Cheers
joHN

Good question, I am not sure. Perhaps an adaptation that allows to know that it is the parents with a meal so they can safely stick their head out of the hole to eat?

[Marina Scarr]

First of all, I love your title for this one!!! You seem to have pushed it too far on the RP. Love seeing all 3 at the cavity and the female in with food in her beak. Are my eyes deceiving me or do I see 3 male chicks here? I think you can make this image look great. The light is harsher on the chicks than the female which is what is making this one a little more difficult to process. You could also burn the lighter parts of the nest tree.