Another from my Little Grebe session last week. When I couldn't find any Little Grebes I spent some time watching and photographing this pair of moorhens busy on a nest in the middle of the canal. The female was frequently rearranging the eggs whilst the male was constantly bringing fresh material for the nest. I tried for some behavioural shots of the two moorhens and this is one shot I liked where the interaction of the birds worked well. My personal nit with this shot is the messy background but it is very difficult to avoid at this location.
I am not sure if this shot works or not so would be interested in any comments from forum members.
I like it.
It may be a little tight in the frame but you have captured very nice detail and colours in this shot. Not bothered by the background, it is as I would expect.
Works pretty well as a behavioural image for me, Sean. Only thing I could ask for is perhaps a little more room at the sides, and perhaps slightly less contrasty light to allow a bit more detail in the black plumage.
BTW, which canal is it?
Thanks for the comments I did crop in slightly (about 5%) to focus more on the subject(s) so I have some margin to play with.
This is the restored canal in Swindon. Only a small section has been restored so there is only a mile or so of waterway at the moment although I think there are some longer term plans to restore more of the canal.
I tend to agree with your reservations Sean. I think you would have more chance on another occasion with softer light.
One point which I find technically interesting is the red colour of the beaks - it does not look right - also the yellow of the beaks look nearly gone so I suspect the we are nearly at clipping level. This is interesting to me because I've produced the exactly same red shade on moorhens with my 20D Reducing the exposure a bit and I get the right shade of red.
A very nice behaviour image, as said the light is not doing you any favours though, but you have to work with it, you could go back time and time again to try and repeat this shot when the light is softer and the action would not repeat itself (am I making sense there?).
Hi Sean
nice interaction between the two birds also I like the reflection of the bird's red beaks. Overall a nice picture of the Moorhens.
John
Aberdeen
I agree the scene is a bit contrasty, the light was still strong despite being taken early evening. I probably did overexpose this shot as the whites are blown and the yellows are on the edge. I did crop slightly on this image so I have taken on board the comments about being a bit too tightly framed.
Discussion
11 repliesAnother from my Little Grebe session last week. When I couldn't find any Little Grebes I spent some time watching and photographing this pair of moorhens busy on a nest in the middle of the canal. The female was frequently rearranging the eggs whilst the male was constantly bringing fresh material for the nest. I tried for some behavioural shots of the two moorhens and this is one shot I liked where the interaction of the birds worked well. My personal nit with this shot is the messy background but it is very difficult to avoid at this location.
I am not sure if this shot works or not so would be interested in any comments from forum members.
cheers
Sean
p.s. camera info, 20D, 300 F4 L, ISO400, f6.3, 1/320th, manfrotto 190+393 tripod.
It may be a little tight in the frame but you have captured very nice detail and colours in this shot. Not bothered by the background, it is as I would expect.
BTW, which canal is it?
Thanks for the comments I did crop in slightly (about 5%) to focus more on the subject(s) so I have some margin to play with.
This is the restored canal in Swindon. Only a small section has been restored so there is only a mile or so of waterway at the moment although I think there are some longer term plans to restore more of the canal.
cheers
Sean
One point which I find technically interesting is the red colour of the beaks - it does not look right - also the yellow of the beaks look nearly gone so I suspect the we are nearly at clipping level. This is interesting to me because I've produced the exactly same red shade on moorhens with my 20D
John
Works for me, colours look OK - possibly slightly too red.
Nice shot - love the interaction between the birds. I don't mind the BG but do find the image a little contrasty and tight in the frame!
David
So very well seen and taken....
nice interaction between the two birds also I like the reflection of the bird's red beaks. Overall a nice picture of the Moorhens.
John
Aberdeen
Paul
NL/Rotterdam
I agree the scene is a bit contrasty, the light was still strong despite being taken early evening. I probably did overexpose this shot as the whites are blown and the yellows are on the edge. I did crop slightly on this image so I have taken on board the comments about being a bit too tightly framed.
cheers
Sean