Baby Killdeer

Gallery: AvianPosted June 25, 201179 views6 comments

Whenever I approach killdeer they always fly off before I'm close enough for a good shot. These two must be recently out of the nest and didn't know the rule. One of their parents kept calling to them while I crouched amongst the goose dung with my long lens and camera. Eventually the parent actually joined them and convinced them to leave.

The birds are standing on a walkway that extends into the center of a small pond. I tried to have both in focus but the nearer bird is a bit sharper. I like the fuzzball look of the birds. I don't care much for the sticky looking mud at their feet.

I decided to use this image in my first attempt at using Corel Painter 12. I'll post that result in the Photo Art Gallery. It's at:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/ic.cgi?a=vp&pr=175623&CGISESSID=556b4d7625e102826c4d41a26ccf1dcb&u=11328

All comments most welcome.

1D Mark IV, 400 mm f/5.6, 1.4x TC, hand held: ISO 1250, 1/1250 s, f/14, 0 EV, 16 MP (full frame), NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on June 25, 2011 at 11:37 PM

Hi Steve. I have the same problem with killdeer, although having the young ones present does make them easier to photograph it seems. These two are getting quite big allready. Good job getting this full frame. I do find this photo just slightly dark. It is always a conundrum when you are trying to get two or more birds in focus, especially if there is quite a bit of separation between them. I think I would prefer a more centered positioning of the birds in this case, just seems slightly unbalance for some reason.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 26, 2011 at 1:14 AM

One of the things I like about NPN is how seasonal the pictures can be. I like the birds very much. I think you handled the DOF challenge pretty well.If it were mine, I'd have backed the shutter speed down a bit more and tried for a bit more light and/or DOF. As Gary says, composition with two birds is always a challenge, but I might have tried centering the two birds a bit more. I'd also like to see a slightly lower angle, if the situation permitted. All nits on a nice photo, Steve.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on June 26, 2011 at 8:08 AM

Overall, I like this shot Steve. I might have centered the birds given each is looking the opposite direction, but I like it as posted as well.

I agree, that getting two birds that are not in the same focus plane sharp can be very difficult with the large lenses we bird photographers use. It takes such a large increase in f to make any difference in DoF, that many times it just is not possible. Focus distance and Focal length of the lens actually have the most affect of DoF. Thus, multi bird shots are one time when I don't necessarily try to get really close/full frame comps.

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

Comment posted by Paula Dittrick on June 26, 2011 at 9:12 AM

I like this because it looks like the two are about to take off running in opposite directions. We had 4 killdeer babies in the church parking lot of all places in southwest Houston. I watched that family but didn't try any photos. Too urban of a setting for my taste. I commend you for getting this shot. I also enjoy the feather in the mud. I understand the comments about more centered positioning but I also think this is great as far as bird behavior.

Registered on May 2, 2006, 16 Posts, 179 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 26, 2011 at 1:10 PM

Cute, Steve. Nice dof and I like the opposite poses.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 1, 2011 at 2:29 PM

Thank you, everyone. Very interesting, thoughtful comments as usual. The centering comments surprised me. However, in retrospect I can see the question of balance. Interestingly, the same point was brought up in the companion Photo Art version too. I agree that I should have reduced ss more here and tried for more DOF. At this point I recall I was hoping for a flight shot. However, I did have quite a bit of time and could have done it. Regarding viewing angle: this was the best possible...or maybe I should say practical. I was surrounded by goose dung and managed to kneel on one knee in a small clear space. A lower angle would have meant lying down in the stuff.....that currently exceeds my level of dedication to nature photography....

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