Tree Swallow

[wendell westfall]

D90 70-200VR+2X@400 1/2000 f5.6 ISO400 0EV handheld

This Tree Swallow had just slipped and was catching itself from falling by flaring out its feathers. There was another bird in the picture, which I cropped (about 40%) out. A variety of adjustments were employed, in LR, PSE and NN. It was 9AM and the light was good.

Wendell

[Troy Lim]

You got the blue part for sure and it shows. Personally I am not crazy about square crop. Have you considered cloning out the OOF branches?

[Kerry Perkins]

Wendell, good points made by Troy. The image seems just a third or two over to me, I would have gone for a faster shutter speed. Nice pose with the tail feathers flared. I would also consider evicting the oof branches.

[wendell westfall]

Thanks, guys, I'll tone down the blue a bit and lose the OOF branches, but I kinda like the crop.

[nancy hazen]

Wendell, this is a great pose especially with the tail feathers flared. I love seeing the bright blue of the Swallows. Nice job.
Nancy

[wendell westfall]

Thanks, Nancy, I had never "caught" one with its feathers flared before . . .

[annmpacheco]

Wow, wonderful pose and spread of tail feathers. I too would prefer a clean BG and a different crop.

[wendell westfall]

Ann, thanks . . . would you recommend a portrait or a landscape crop?