Its a jungle out there...

[Lance Peters]

This little guy was photographed from my car - Parents are very protective and will attack if you try and get close. So as not to cause undue stress to the chick or parents - car was used as a blind. (didn't worry them in the least)

This little fellow was born on a vacant block of land, not far from my house - unfortunately he was a only child and I dont believe that he made it - kept a eye on the family every day and one day the parents were there and the little guy wasn't (Too young to have fledged).

D3
Sigma 300-800 zoom @800mm Car windows as tripod
F10
1/320TH
800 ISO
Matrix metering
SB900 ITTL FP @ -1 2/3


Shooting angle is less than ideal - but my primary concern is not to stress the subject.

Comments welcome :)

[Gus Cobos]

A sad story Mr. Peters,
I hope he did make it, and you just did not see him that day...the composition, image and capture is dead on...I like everything about it...sharp details, good color rendition, good head angle and sharp eye...well done as always...:cool:

[Lance Peters]

A sad story Mr. Peters,
I hope he did make it, and you just did not see him that day...the composition, image and capture is dead on...I like everything about it...sharp details, good color rendition, good head angle and sharp eye...well done as always...:cool:

Survival rates seem low Gus -Of the 3 sites I monitored -7 chicks - 2 seem to have survived (just about ready to fledge) The high mortality rates must be due to predators - These guys nest on the ground and anywhere pretty much, for instance in the middle section of a roundabout on the highway.

[Alfred Forns]

Sure is a cute chick Hoping he made it !!!

[Hilary Hann]

I really like the effect of the grass around the chick. The different colours and directions of the blades adds a nice depth.

[Kyle Marie Barcelos]

What a cute little baby, hope he is still alive somewhere:)

[William Malacarne]

Lance

What kind of bird is it?

Bill

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

Very cute, sharp and good exposure. All the grass around him add the feeling of unknown, like something is lurking out there.

[Lance Peters]

Lance

What kind of bird is it?

Bill

Masked Lapwing - Bill.

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Very sharp and love all the grass around him as well. I hope he just went for a walk. Love the mask around the eye too Lance.

[Cheryl Flory]

usually I prefer a lower angle for such a shot, but then the grass would be in the way of such a cute face. perhaps cropping some off the top would make it "feel" like you were more on the chicks level. such great details and sharpness in the chick! great image!

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Usually grass shots do not work for me, this is an exception. The subject looks so cute, great expressio/pose.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I actually like it as is Lance. The habitat is typical and since you used a long FL the angle of inclanation is not noticeable. I wouldn't worry too much about little ones not making it. To give you a perspective with another common (key word is common) local species, the Australian Magpie (butcherbird actually). A female lives on average of 35 years and rears a clutch of around 3-4 young each spring. Out of the total young hatched, only 2 make it to breeding age. That is from the 35 years of 3-4 per season - so a total of over 100 young!!! So the mortality rate is very high, but that's what keeps it all in balance I suppose.

On another note, our little Lapwing is doing well. Just weighed her 10 minutes ago and she has hit 156 grams. She is growing by the day!