Mother Kildeer w re-post

Hi Lucy: Something seems to be making the image a bit soft. To my eye, it looks like your focus may have been on the ground in front of the bird, but I'm not sure. Nice catch-I haven't been able to get close to one.

Dennis,
It's the glamour glow. So, is it too soft? I can come back with Viveza on the face later.

Great to catch mom with eggs!
I often use Glamour Glow, but only for flowers and such. With birds, to me, you want them as sharp as possible unless you are doing something very dramatic for Photo Art, like the fractalius filter.

Sandy

Lucy, excellent catch of the adult near the nest. When I approach a Killdeer nest (that I don't know is there), the adult(s) will noisily fly away, land and perform the broken wing act to lure me away from the nest. I have seen them do the same with a Crow who was actively looking for nests. I've actually never seen a Killdeer nest. Interesting PP effect, highlighting the tail that is fanned.

she was not real worried about me, as I'd been there for a while. I was standing only about 6 feet away. She kept alternating between fan and no fan. She couldn't decide what I wanted. On a later walk, she saw me first and pulled the "broken wing" act. So, she gets a "good sport" award from me!

An interesting image showing adult and nest, although I'm a bit distressed by this statement "I'd been there for a while."

I think the "glow" effect has robbed the image of important detail and also burned out the highlights. I'd reserve it for flowers.

HI Richard, the plover lives on my ranch. She chose to lay her eggs next to my barn, so she had to get used to me. Can't neglect my horses, because of her. Besides, she does well every year here, and I've seen her and her buddy (mate?) scooting around the barn already. So, no, I'm not seeking to bother wildlife.....but my 1200 lb horses do need a lot of my attention! They cannot choose where to live Don't worry....this is her choice each year.

Here she is right next to my 12 foot entrance to the barn, actually sitting on her eggs.........

Here is the girl with a little pro contrast and no glamour glow...........

Thanks for the details and explanation. I prefer the second version without the glow.