Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Forums · RMNP

Greeley Birding

Discussion

14 replies
Posted by Kurt Bowman on June 25, 2011 at 7:53 PM
Greeley Birding
I must sound like a broken record this year when I say I had another overcast cloudy mucky day....does the sun still shine in Colorado??? Last weekend I spent in an area outside of Greeley to get some shorebirds I never see anywhere else in Colorado. I had great luck with the birds, just no sun. So I decided to head up there again this morning and of course, no sun. So here are my grayish images with as much color and light I could introduce into them with the little light I had to work with.

First one is a Wilson's Phalarope
Posted by Kurt Bowman on June 25, 2011 at 7:55 PM
Killdeer in flight...this was fun trying to get it sharp at slower shutter speeds
Posted by Kurt Bowman on June 25, 2011 at 7:56 PM
American Avocet
Posted by Dan Walters on June 25, 2011 at 7:57 PM
Still look great Kurt! Like the wings in the first image. Very sharp flight shot for such a small bird!
Posted by Kurt Bowman on June 25, 2011 at 7:58 PM
Cattle Egret (never seen one in Colorado until today)
Posted by Kurt Bowman on June 25, 2011 at 7:59 PM
and here is a nice Turkey Vulture who was feeding on the little chicks that were falling from the heron and egret nests.
Posted by Jack Garrett on June 26, 2011 at 12:27 AM
Kurt, these are stunning shots...grey doesn't bother me a bit...however, number 4 just blows me away :jump:
Posted by Stan Rose on June 26, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Cool set as always, Kurt! The killdeer is my fav. First one feels a tad tight on the crop. Never even heard of a 'cattle egret' til now--cool! :smile:
Posted by Bob Karcz on June 26, 2011 at 8:48 AM
Kurt- I like them all- especially the cattle Egret! The kildeer flight shot is also great- tough to get these smaller birds in flight!
Posted by Bill Brennan on June 26, 2011 at 9:50 AM
Kurt, gray works very well for you. Great series.

Bill Brennan
Posted by John Mumaw on June 26, 2011 at 3:28 PM
Real nice to see some uncommon birds, Kurt. I like 'em all, with particular kudos for what you accomplished with that shutter speed and the killdeer. Every one of these is special, and wouldn't you rather have flat light than harsh light?
The images of the cattle egret and the phalarope are ever so slightly underexposed. The first three have more detail in the eyes than you might guess. Try zooming in tight, selecting the eyes and then lifting a curve to taste. :wink:
Excellent work as usual! :toast:
Posted by Don Grall on June 26, 2011 at 9:45 PM
Sunlight isn't always necessary, as you show here. In fact, I prefer mild cloud filtration to full on sun any day! Even though you were dealing with heavier overcast, your images are still super!
Posted by Dean Sauskojus on June 26, 2011 at 9:58 PM
I'm always blown away with your work Kurt. Incredible display of feathers in the first. Nicely done.
Posted by Rod Chandler on June 27, 2011 at 6:21 PM
Well, who needs sunlight if you are Kurt Bowman and damned good at shooting birds. Those are awesome shots as usual.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on June 27, 2011 at 11:24 PM
I think the flat light helped you here. These are all nice, but that 2nd one, WOW!