Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Wagtail in nest

  1. #1
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default Wagtail in nest

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi all. I've taken many Willy Wagtail photos over the years, but this is the first on the nest. Taken in November during a few days away with my wife. Had to wait quite a while for the Wagtail to make its way back to the nest, as it was dashing between various positions on the grounds of the b&b we were staying at. The original crop had a vertical branch on the left, but I thought it was too much, so settled on this crop. The BG is the water. Cheers.

    D500/500PF, 1/500th sec. f5.6, iso500, manual mode HH.
    Last edited by Paul Burdett; 12-19-2020 at 12:13 AM.

  2. #2
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Sunrise, Fl
    Posts
    3,241
    Threads
    525
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    What a sweet canvas with perfect framing, EXP and details... TFS

  3. #3
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks so much David...much appreciated as always.

  4. #4
    Lifetime Member Stu Bowie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Centurion, South Africa
    Posts
    21,360
    Threads
    1,435
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Paul, good pose and HA, and I like the slightly raised wings. Is that silk wrapped around the nest.

  5. #5
    Macro and Flora Moderator Jonathan Ashton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Cheshire UK
    Posts
    17,017
    Threads
    2,604
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Love it! A very unusual shot the bird and nest look equally interesting. Perhaps a little large in the frame - but I note your comments.
    I think the darker areas could be opened up a little to reveal some more detail.

  6. #6
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    2,975
    Threads
    322
    Thank You Posts
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Hi Paul, lovely impressive nest and quite a feat to capture willy as he's always on the go! Very nice nice HA, agree with opening up the blacks.

  7. #7
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    Hi Paul, love the backdrop, provides a nice standout for the image, a pleasing colour palette. Agree with Jon, with regard that there is more to pullout, albeit subtle. also, extending the canvas on the LHS helps, using the raw is always better. What does draw my eye is that the nest doesn't look sharp, almost jarring slightly with the subject, did you sharpen the nest Paul?

    TFS
    Steve
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  8. #8
    BPN Member Jack Backs's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Ofallon, Missouri, USA
    Posts
    522
    Threads
    129
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Interesting behavior image. Looks like there might be a slight amount of motion blur. I'd clean up the eye.

  9. #9
    Lifetime Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    3,555
    Threads
    543
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Wonderful capture, Paul. Good comments above, and I like Steve's repost showing a bit more detail in the blacks. That's a great background also.


    Geoffrey




    http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

  10. #10
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Geoffrey, I also added a fraction more to the LHS too.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  11. #11
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks all for the feedback/suggestions.
    Stu: The Wagtail uses grasses, spider webs, hair and fur to construct its nest.
    Yes to opening up the blacks.
    Steve: Thank you for the repost...blacks look better. Can't recall if I sharpened the nest...will go back and check. I don't like the canvas extension on the LHS...I can see the duplicate markings on the branch.

    P.S. I'm not getting email notifications to replies...unsure why...just started happening recently.
    Last edited by Paul Burdett; 12-19-2020 at 04:55 PM.

  12. #12
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Paul, it’s purely for illustration, as I said, using the raw will deliver a better result.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  13. #13
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default Another take

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    No problem Steve. Here's another take with the original crop. I also opened up the blacks a tad, sharpened the nest and tried some eye work (not sure how successful my eye work is though). Thoughts?

    Cheers.

  14. #14
    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2020
    Location
    Golden, CO
    Posts
    2,658
    Threads
    230
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Paul, this is a very interesting frame. There are many things to study, and I like that!

    I think you framed it about as well as you could. And the name Wagtail cracks me up... sounds like a puppy or something :-)

    It is fascinating that the subject looks in focus but the nest appears not to be. I like the nest in RP better, but possibly a little too much on the sharpening.

    Otherwise, the main thing I could offer is to warm it up a bit. Perhaps you too can see the blue on top of the head? That usually tells me my images are cold and re-adusting WB or just sliding warmth a bit might improve it.

  15. #15
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Good observations Brian. Yes...I tried sharpening the nest, but agree it may be too aggressive. I'll check the WB. Thanks Brian:)

  16. #16
    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Nova Scotia
    Posts
    12,731
    Threads
    910
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Sharpening the nest has really improved this image.
    Agree about the WB but otherwise would be very happy to have this image in my files.
    Merry Christmas Paul!
    Gail

  17. #17
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hi Gail,
    Thank you for the feedback. Merry Christmas to you and yours too...let's hope 2021 brings peace and happiness (and maybe new gear?lol)

  18. #18
    Wildlife Moderator Steve Kaluski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Somewhere in the world
    Posts
    20,551
    Threads
    1,285
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I can see why you cropped it as you did the vertical is just too dominating I feel Paul.

    I also opened up the blacks a tad, sharpened the nest and tried some eye work (not sure how successful my eye work is though). Thoughts?
    Not sure Paul, although you have 'opened' the blacks up, for me it's just black with little if any tonal range. Looking at the techs, as the ISO was very low, I would have suggested starting at 1/1000, especially as it's HH Paul.
    Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

  19. #19
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Glad you agree with the crop Brian. I'm actually fine with the blacks, but agree with needing a faster shutter speed (although the VR works well on the lens) Cheers.

  20. #20
    BPN Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    10,421
    Threads
    1,708
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Nice view of this wagtail nest out in the open. Pretty neat the nest looks like it is covered in a spider web. Like the look back pose.

  21. #21
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    6,868
    Threads
    512
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I like the original composition and cool nest. A new bird for me so TFS. Merry Christmas Paul!

  22. #22
    Forum Participant
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
    Posts
    2,545
    Threads
    383
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thank you John and Jim.
    John: The Wagtail does use spider webs as part of its nest construction.
    Jim: I also prefer the original crop.
    Merry Christmas to you both too

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics