Moorhen Chicks

[Phil Ertel]

This image was taken on June 4th in Florida at Lake Tohopekaiga. I know there isn't great action and these are not rare birds but I there was hoping that there was enough of a cuteness factor for viewing.

I cropped some off the top and bottom for composition. Curves, nondestructive dodge/burn, and I removed some shine off the bills, resized and sharpened for the web.

Thanks for viewing.

Camera: 50D
Lens: EF400mm f5.6L USM
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Evaluative
Shutter Speed: 1/2000s
f-stop: 8
ISO: 200

[Stu Bowie]

Good sharp detail Phil, and I like the similar postures. As the reflections are not clear, I would take at least half the bottom, and a tad off the top.

[wendell westfall]

Phil, they look mighty cute to me and well worth photographing and posting. I would take just a little bit more off the top and bottom to emphasize the beauties even more.

[Phil Ertel]

Thanks for the input guys. I played with composition some and had a version with more off the bottom. I wasn't sure which one I like the most. Here is the image with approximately half off the bottom. Is this what you had in mind? Thanks again for your comments.

[wendell westfall]

That's what I was thinking, Phil . . . believe it looks better.

[Fabs Forns]

Cute????? They don't come any uglier, Phil, well yes they do, Anhingas LOL
Just kidding with you, I like the OP much better, reflections add to it, in any case a little off the top.
Thanks very much for making me smile and yes, I'll have to admit they are cute :)

[Randy Stout]

Phil:
Nice matching poses and expressions:p

Fairly high contrast. Nice DOF considering the two birds.

Def. worth keeping!

I slightly prefer the OP. The reflections aren't strong, but do act to balance the image.

Cheers

Randy

[sandy richards]

I prefer the original post with the reflections intact.
Funny little things, with the bald heads.
The identical poses are delightful

[Daniel Cadieux]

I do think they are cute...in a Moorhen chick kinda way! I prefer the OP too, but the dark blob at the bottom needs to go. Good post processing. Was a lower angle possible?

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Daniel, Thanks for the comment.
Was a lower angle possible?
Not really. I too would have like a lower shooting angle but, unfortunately that was not possible. There was a fairly steep bank and I was about a low as I could get. I couldn’t get any lower with getting in the water and was reluctant to so since there were two alligators nearby:eek:.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I couldn’t get any lower with getting in the water and was reluctant to so since there were two alligators nearby:eek:.

Smart decision!!