Tree Swallow

[wendell westfall]

D90 70-200VR+2X@400 1/2500 f6.3 ISO 800 0EV monopod

Yesterday morning this little guy rested a bit and posed patiently for me near its nest, all the while adjusting its wing and tail feathers. There was an upright branch right in front of the bird that I cloned out. I tried unsuccessfully to get a BIF picture, but these guys are fast!

Wendell

[Joe Senzatimore]

Fast indeed. My Trash Bin if full of bad flight shots of swallows. You did well to capture the tail spread. I think the BG needs to be cleaned up a bit and the head could be a little brighter and sharper. Tough shooting with the 2x. It tends to soften things.

[gail bisson]

Hi Wendall,
Good pose. I see remnants of your cloning in front of the bird and at the top and bottom of the frame. Head needs a sharpening as well.
Gail

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ditto Joe and Gail. Lovely pose you got from this fella. Best time for BIFs with these guys is with strong winds and an active nestbox!

[wendell westfall]

Daniel, thanks for your confirmation of the critiques. I lazily overlooked the BG cleanup, but I did not think to brighten and sharpen the head -- very helpful. I went to the same spot today but struck out.