Cindy Marple
May 2023 - Tropical Kingbird Display
Original
About the Image(s)
About the image: Tropical Kingbird is one of the more common birds you see in Central and northern South America. So common that when I’ve been in the area before, we never stopped to really look at or photograph them. So one mission I had for the Panama trip was to get some decent images of this species. This image was taken in the same location as the Kiskadee from last month. The Kingbird pair were not happy with another bird, apparently invading their territory, and they repeatedly did this raised wing display and call. I was able to position myself for the light since they kept coming back to the same tree to perch in.
Nikon D850, 500mm PF, ISO640, 1/2000 f/6.3. Cropped and some exposure adjustment in post.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
Hi Cindy, I think this is a nice image showing natural behavior of the bird, as well as the natural environment with that very interesting looking fruit. I like the processing job you did to clean up and sharpen, particularly the sky with those subtle pink gradations. Crop is good IMO but I would have left more space on the left side of the image. Would look better balanced that way, and there is plenty of room to do it. Thanks! Posted: 05/02/2023 20:54:38
I meant to suggest in your crop to leave more room on the right side of the image. Posted: 05/03/2023 21:18:26
Hi Michael, that makes more sense! I tried your suggestion. I rather like both versions. Posted: 05/05/2023 16:10:43
I think it's just perfect! and wondering if that's a guava fruit. No matter, Mr. (or Ms.) Kingtbird is the star of the show and is looking pretty fearsome -- that is, if an 8-inch bird weighing less than 2 oz can be considered fearsome! I just love the detail. Posted: 05/03/2023 19:55:34
I feel this is an excellent and well composed and processed image. While there are no clouds (you don't need them) the pick blush as has been noted adds just a hint of interest to the sky so that it is not void of detail. The best part here is the sharpness and the perfectly frozen wings. The raised position adds a bit or (pending) motion to the scene which is pleasing. Personally I would not add and space anywhere. I really like the subtle diagonal rising from the lower right and onward to the bird. At first I thought of cropping some from the bottom but that would ruin the diagonal that adds real strength to the image so just leave it as is. It is a nice tropic scene capped by a dramatic bird about to take flight. Posted: 05/04/2023 12:43:40
I always hate writing after Larry. Great composition. The first thing that caught my eye was the brilliant diagonal leading up to the bird and its outstretched wings. Perfect execution! Posted: 05/04/2023 18:22:44
Cindy I can't see anything I would change about this image. I remember seeing this bird in Costa Rica, but they always seemed to be in very thick brushy areas. Really nice seeing them out in the open. Good story. sharp and the composition is good. Great image. Posted: 05/10/2023 10:23:03
Cindy,
The image of the bird is fantastic! Very sharp and great wing position! At first I did not like the blank sky, but it looks like you might have brought up the saturation of the blue a bit, which is a good thing. My only suggestion might be to consider cropping up from the bottom. Do we need to see the leaves and the pod? Just a thought. Try it in LRC and see what you think. Posted: 05/13/2023 10:07:32
The image of the bird is fantastic! Very sharp and great wing position! At first I did not like the blank sky, but it looks like you might have brought up the saturation of the blue a bit, which is a good thing. My only suggestion might be to consider cropping up from the bottom. Do we need to see the leaves and the pod? Just a thought. Try it in LRC and see what you think. Posted: 05/13/2023 10:07:32
Thanks David, I have another series of the behavior where the bird was much closer and the perch not as attractive that I cropped tighter. Not quite the same angle on the pose, I know. Posted: 05/13/2023 21:53:39
The pose for the picture you posted is priceless. Just consider cropping up from the bottom. Posted: 05/14/2023 00:43:38