Tree Swallow on Lake Toho

[Marina Scarr]

This Tree Swallow was photographed on Lake Toho in Kissimmee with thanks going out to Mike Tracy for his generosity in inviting me on board his boat. There were a variety of bird species on Lake Toho. Although we mainly concentrated on photographing Snail Kites, I couldn't resist this gorgeous Tree Swallow.

Canon 400DO & 1.4 TC @ 560mm
F8, 1/2000sec, ISO 400, manual mode
Knee as tripod, slight crop

C & C always welcome and appreciated,

Marina

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Lovely detail and lighting in this image and I like how you captured the beautiful sheen in the feathers. Very nice composition and BG. Like this a lot Marina.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose, perch and BG and would give it a bit more room at the left and clone out the diagonal OOF reed crossing the bird's body.

[James Shadle]

Beautiful image.
Sharp, well exposed and composed.
I love diagonals that come from the corners. How about that?

The head angle unfortunately lends itself to a darker head and neck than I would prefer.

The diagonal reed crossing the bird's body does not bother me that much.
Rather than clone, try a little burn tool with a soft brush in a background copy layer.

Tough bird to photograph, congrats.

James

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Love the sheen on the feathers Marina. Well done. MAybe a little, little tight in the BLC, but not a huge issue really. Love the image, great BG too. :)