Osprey

Gallery: AvianPosted November 19, 2009166 views9 comments

This osprey is one of a pair that nest on the Rideau River, south of Ottawa. The nest is only around 100 feet off a major road. I had gone out later in the day in the hopes of catching good light. I might have preferred a slightly better angle on the wings but, of all the frames, none had the classic outstretched wings.

I'm curious to hear what people think of the crop: Should I have left more room?

Technical details:

D300 w/ 300mm F4 + 1.4x teleconverter
1/1000th at F6.3 ISO 200 (equivalent)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 20, 2009 at 12:24 AM

I really like this view of the osprey David, wonderful lighting and his gaze off to the horizon is attractive. The bicolored background is excellent too. I personally would prefer more space for this large bird, a larger view would be for displaying the detail that appears to be there in spades.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on November 20, 2009 at 7:53 AM

Photo is great.

I would have to play with the photo while cropping to see if there's something better for my eye.

Unlike Gary, I personally like this rendition and I like a big bird being.... "big" (grins)

the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on November 20, 2009 at 8:00 AM

David, this is breathtaking! The wing detail is superb! I also love the bg...it is extremely nice the way you have captured this one! Fine work!!!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 20, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Super osprey shot David. I like the even lighting on the bird and the bg. Well done

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on November 20, 2009 at 1:33 PM

Don't see how you could improve on this one. Extremely sharp with excellent feather & facial detail. I like the wing angle which allows you to compose diagonally across the image. I've heard a great Nature photographer say that good images should be "cropped tight and sharp as a tack" which this is.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 20, 2009 at 7:06 PM

I like this too David - nice sharpness and a good look at the eyes. Your crop works for me though I might have backed off on the bird a very small amount so I could place the bird a bit more lower right in the frame. Simply a taste thing, not a nit.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on November 20, 2009 at 10:11 PM

David, I wouldn't change a thing. This is a very good shot of the osprey. You have a well exposed, detailed shot.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 21, 2009 at 2:08 PM

David,

I like the pose of the Osprey, the cloud & sky in the background, the fanned out tail and the intense gaze the Osprey appears to have.

I detect a very thin, light colored halo in areas around the bird, if this were mine I would address that.

I can see where this would look very nice with a bit more space around the bird, but this crop works for me too. Composition is purely personal preference.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 22, 2009 at 6:02 AM

Lovely clean crisp flight shot david

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments