I processed this on my work CRT (don't tell anyone) and it's a bit less than optimal compared to what I'm working on at home, so if it looks like crud...please let me know?
This particular image was created this past Augsut 1, after sitting with this nest for a day and a half.
I had watched as the parents brought food nearby, teasing the chicks with fly-bys but not bringing them the food. While the two leaned as if they would take flight, they had not yet ventured from the nest.
In the morning, it was foggy and one of the birds almost took flight on two occasions and I sort of shuddered at the thought as I has really wanted to be able to photograph the first flight in decent light.
Late that afternoon and into the evening, I had moved from the ocean side of the nest to the bay side in order to have the long light of the setting sun behind me. Without warning, one of the chicks elevated itself about a foot off the nest as it had done many times previously and then launched itself into the light westerly breeze. It took two quick trips around the nest and on the next pass, flew directly toward me with it's eyes trained on me the entire time. Thge sun was just above the horizon and the bird glowed in the long light.
It had taken a lot of patience, but I was thrilled to have captured this first flight after documenting these birds since the parents arrived on April 2 this past spring.
Nikon D300, 500 AFS~VR, ISO 800, 1/500, f7.1 NearUniWB preset, CW mtering +1.0 EV
Love the pose in this capture and the wonderful head turn and eye contact. The lighting looks lbeautiful and good detail and exposure. Congratulations Jim !
All looks great! Pose, eye contact and detail, but I would try desaturating a bit the yelloows as in my computer they seem a bit to hot. Still, great shot! Congratulaitons!
This was shot literally moments prior to the sun setting and the bird actually glowed a bit more orange to my eyes (without sunglasses) than what is presented here.
I'm going to estimate that the temperature of the light was approaching 5900 degrees K at this point.
At 5900, it glows even more so than what is represented here. I actually dropped the WB to 5700 degrees during processing and also dropped the saturation a hair.
Is it a matter of folks not being used to seeing subjects strongly lit the final moments of daylight or?
Osprey Juvenile ~ First Flight
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