I am still learning the best ways to capture birds in camera. I was watching the female osprey sitting in the nest. She was looking overhead and screeching. Suddenly the male came down and landed on her, claws out as shown here. He grasped her (how he didn't puncture her with his claws I have no idea) and they started mating.
Things I would have liked to change include:
1. I would have liked to have a more front-on view, but that would have entailed me being on or in the water, which was not an option at that point.
2. Maybe the image lacks sharpness? I selectively sharpened the birds and nest as best I could without oversharpening.
Do you folks think that this image has any redemptive qualities?
Nikon D300
1/640 sec
f 6.7
ISO 640
600 mm f4.0 lens
1.7 x multiplier
Focal Length 1000 mm
I agree with you on your point number 1. What a pity. Re sharpness, it doesn't look soft to me. May be your original does, but you'd be a better judge on that then. The other thing is we don't see a lot of the female osprey in this photo. It would be better if her head is visible.
Sure does !!! I like the intense look, wing position and your vantage point was not bad at all !!!
As presented might like a little more room all around. You made a good exposure and does seem sharp. Could go in the eye area and make it more prominent. Eyes are usually the most important part of the image or most dominant !!! Sure wish the female had stuck her head up !!! Ideally you want to be on the other side but this looks fine. You have made and excellent image !!!
Great capture and agree with above...if it were easy to be in exactly the right place to make the shot we probably wouldn't enjoy the challenge quite so much??? At least that's what I tell myself!
Ospreys Mating
