Same nest and same intimate close-up point of view, but I like the peacefulness of this one. The three nestlings, although awake, are at rest, and one of the parents taking a peek to make sure everything is all right. I missed the fledging of the chicks as when I returned two days later they were all perched deep inside another tree - too deep to for redeeming bird photography, but it was nice to see all three successfully out and about.
Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II + 1.4TC III, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/400s., f/13, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, full-frame. A few whites specks here and there removed, lifted the shadows on the adult.
Hi Dan, looks like this could be quite time consuming.
Personally, when I put the two images up side by side on the monitors, I do prefer the previous one, simply because of the interaction, albeit the parent here is better framed. Not a lot you can do, but the green triangle just catches my eye a fraction, however getting a bit more depth of colour and tonal range back into those pine needles really adds in my opinion, they are just a bit too washed out and theres just a hint of a halo on the parent. Adding the old dark room room trick just adds more focus I think too, but probably not fashionable these days
Really enjoying this story unfolding Dan.