This is my first image posted here at BPN, talk about intimidation. There are such great Photgraphers here I was hessitant to say the least.
I was fortunate to see these two Stilts perform the entire courtship and mating ritual at sunset. I captured several frames of the entire sequence. This image was made right after the male mated her. They seemed to be posing for me in post mating bliss.
Location: SJWR (the ponds)
40 D with 500MM f/4 IS lens and 1.4 TC
1/800 at f/8 minus 1/3 Exp Comp
ISO 200
Welcome to the world of posters :D I like this a lot just as presented. A very touching moment captured very well.
If I were to wish for something, it would be to have the front bill a little farther away from the rear bird's eye, but that is really picky.
Looks like there might be the tiniest of sharpening halos around the tail on the right of frame. Easy to fix / avoid in the future with some selective sharpening.
Lovely interaction, pose, color, light, and sharpness. The birds need lot more room all around. Did you crop from the top? (Hope so...)
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Thank You for the tips Artie and Jim. This is why I joined here, to learn. Having now exactly one year under my belt in Photography this month I only wish I found BPN sooner.
Thank You also to the others who commented, it was a better reception and reaction than I expected.
TC
Black Necked Stilts in Post Mating Bliss
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