Osprey

Gallery: AvianPosted January 24, 2011134 views12 comments

A trip to Florida yielded surprisingly few birds (though I didn't go for photography) but it was so refreshing to see Ospreys on natural perches instead of telephone poles and man-made nests. So while the lighting isn't optimal, I'm pleased with this shot since I never have opportunities like this up in NY.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH from a boat near Jupiter, Fl.
f/8
1/1600s
ISO 500
-.33 EC

Cropped to 76% of FF, sharpened using Smart Sharpen and USM, levels adjustment and adjustment to the eye to make it stand out (I believe the N. membrane was in place which caused it to be darker). Processed in CS5 on a 27" iMac.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 24, 2011 at 8:50 PM

Like the setting Luke, looks like the Florida I remember (used to live there).
The forked perch works well, with a good amount of space around the osprey so it stands out

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 24, 2011 at 9:11 PM

I like images like this Luke. Shows the bird in its realm, but still nice detail. Hopefully next time you are down we can meet up and shoot.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 24, 2011 at 9:52 PM

The image is very crisp and sharp. My personal preference would be to have the bird moved out to the center of the image. Other then that, very nice image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 24, 2011 at 10:27 PM

The surroundings are quite attractive here, Luke. I like the colors and sharpness too. It would be nice to see this Osprey closer. I bet that you could devise a closer crop to the bird while still leaving in some of those surroundings and allowing it to continue to stand out.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 24, 2011 at 10:27 PM

Hi Luke

I like how you framed the Osprey against the sky, and around the natural, but unobtrusive habitat..... Nice detail on the head and on its back feathers.
Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 25, 2011 at 5:43 AM

Nice one Luke - really like the setting and the way the bird is framed on both sides by the vegetation.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 25, 2011 at 7:56 AM

nice head turn from the Osprey, Luke, and like you say, a nice natural setting. I agree that the bird is a little centered for me--might try placing him closer to the upper left.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on January 25, 2011 at 9:15 AM

Luke,
I appreciate the setting and natural habitat. I enjoy photos like this that show a scene rather than a close up portrait of the subject. It still has great detail on the feathers and head.

Rick

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 25, 2011 at 2:38 PM

Very nice Luke, I like the environment included in the shot here.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 25, 2011 at 7:40 PM

Around here this is how you see them but usually too far away. I really like this one.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 25, 2011 at 8:32 PM

Luke

I like this as posted, love the habitat you have here and I find the size of the Osprey in the frame just fine for my tastes. Love the bird's pose and the light works for me.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 26, 2011 at 5:44 AM

Palm trees and natural perches I am sold! Very nice capture Luke!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments