Keas repost challenge.

[Ian McHenry]

I quite like this image of a pair of Keas but feel it could be improved so would welcome reposts.
Bit over 50% crop from original vertical image but croppped above and below only.
Overcast mid-winter afternoon 1/250 @ F5.6 @ 1600 ISO.
Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

Woops. Image lost !!!!
Here is url :http://www.pbase.com/image/100756003
Thanks/ Mahalo for your patience !!!
Ian Mc

[Lana Hays]

Ian
I did try to play with it but think it would be better to start with an untouched original. The only thing that worked using the one posted was to get rid of the noise in the BG. I do like the behavior and it's rather interesting how the colors of the BG, perch, and birds all are similar. I think perhaps the crop and ISO may have hampered some of your efforts.....and possibly photographing through glass/fence. I still think that it can be improved but it might be best to start from scratch.

[Ian McHenry]

Thanks Lana for your reply and time spent on editing.
Unfortunately I had to use 1600 ISO to get a shutter speed of 1/250 with the 70-300 lens.
And no there was no netting or glass barrier between myself and birds as in a walkthro" aviary.
I think the problem was mostly in noise reduction so will be trying different options.
Since original post have improved colour rendition with left hand levels adjustment.
Incidentally this image was taken a few minutes after their love making.
I'm attaching original re-sized but otherwise unedited.
You will see from original post that I cloned out a bit of BG but this too could be improved on.
Cheers: Ian Mc

[Ian McHenry]

Here is another edit with a bit more Levels adjustment, Slightly increased contrast and slight sharpening.
Ian Mc