Mama Grackle Feeding Youngster

[Anita Rakestraw]

I haven't been around for months; just got really busy and then the week of Thanksgiving, woke up one day with a pinched nerve, due to severe narrowing of the spinal cord opening. Three trips to ER and a week in the hospital later, I'm still having pain, although getting better....:(

Wanted to get back to participating....this is a summer photo that I just finally processed. No one's going to hang it on their wall, but thought I'd post it anyway.

7/29/08, 5:05 p.m.
1DMkIII, 500mm lens w/doubler, BLUBB
1/100, f/8.0, ISO 400

[Alfred Forns]

The way I feel about grackles I would hang it :)

Glad your feeling better Can't only imagine what you went through !!!

For those don't hesitate to use a higher ISO, you did great at that slow speed. Always remember noise beats blur every time !!!! Might only take a little off the top !!! Do like it a lot !!!

[Gus Cobos]

A big welcome back Anita...so glad your doing better...:)
I like the capture and action...agree with Mr. Forns on the cropping...would run a light pass of noise reduction...congrats...:cool:

[Lance Peters]

Hi Anita - gald to hear you are on the improve :) Agree with Gus and AL - some off the top and some NR.

Nice to see you back :)

[Julie Kenward]

Agree with the guys and I'm also glad to have you back. Hope you continue to feel better.

I love the expression and interaction of the birds. If those wings had been a bit less blurry I'd have been wishing this one were one of mine!

[Anita Rakestraw]

Thanks for stopping, Al, Gus, Lance and Julie. I have no idea why I didn't use a faster shutter on this - probably wasn't paying attention - again! )-: Al - not totally sure what you meant - that you'd hang the birds because you hate grackles?? Or you'd hang the picture because you love grackles?? Ha! Julie, have you located any bald eagles on the river - either in KC or at Lawrence?

[Julie Kenward]

Anita, I haven't yet...but I've seen a few hawks lately - actually got a photo or two of one the other day. I just ordered a 1.4X teleconverter for my 70-200mm so that should help if I do run into one!