Richard Goldenberg

July 2025 - Black-Necked Stilts

About the Image(s)

This image was taken on May 10, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Two adult Black-necked Stilts were taking turns looking after two chicks and this is one of several images I took of them. In this image, one chick is visible nestling up to the breast of the adult and the other is taking shelter beneath the adult.

I used radial gradients in Lightroom for putting some extra exposure on the adult and the chick and, as a result, halos can be seen in the water around the birds, especially on the left side. I'd appreciate any comments you have on that editing technique and whether you find the halos bothersome.

I took the image with my Sony Alpha 1, Mark II, with my 300 mm prime lens and a 2x converter for an effective focal length of 600 mm. The settings were 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 640.

9 comments posted

Bruce Benson

Richard, Very cute scene with great subjects. I can not see any halos on my screen so can not comment on them. I might suggest a bit tighter crop to emphasize the birds and dodging the highlights in the eye as shown in the adjustments I show. Very nice image, Bruce Posted: 07/03/2025 04:46:54

Richard Goldenberg

Thanks Bruce! I like your version. Posted: 07/03/2025 09:30:25

Dr Isaac Vaisman

Richard, nice family portrait of mother black-necked stilt and 2 chicks, however; one of them is hidden by mother and only visible are the legs which makes the image slightly awkward with 4 legs. I agree with Bruce's crop, made the horizonthal straight, removed the extra pair of legs and added real state to the front of the birds so they can have space to move into. Posted: 07/04/2025 18:13:42

Richard Goldenberg

Thanks for your comments Isaac. I agree with everything except the "extra" two legs. To me, those extra legs add to the story (an adult looking after two chicks) and say something about the relevant behavior (sometimes the chicks take refuge near or under the adult). So I'd opt to retain them, but agree with all the other edits and suggestions. Posted: 07/07/2025 02:20:46

Maria Mazo

Hi Richard,
What a lovely moment of interaction and behaviour you've captured with this stilt family. I really like how you've only revealed one of the chicks through its tiny legs peeking out from under the adult, it says so much about their behaviour in a subtle way.

I also agree with the suggestions about the tighter crop, which helps to further focus attention on the birds.

As a suggestion, you might try using the "Select Subject" tool in Lightroom to isolate the birds and apply exposure or other adjustments. It could work better than a radial gradient, as I noticed a light halo around the chick that might be a result of the gradient. Posted: 07/13/2025 20:12:08

Richard Goldenberg

Thanks Maria! Posted: 07/13/2025 22:38:40

Maria Small

Hi Richard, your image of the black-necked stilts and 2 chicks (one hidden) tells a compelling and beautiful story. I like how you captured the one tiny and delicate looking chick leaning its head on the mother. I'd prefer if you remove the legs of the hidden chick as to me, these detract from rather than add to the image. Posted: 07/14/2025 20:26:15

Richard Goldenberg

Maria - Thanks for your thoughts! Posted: 07/14/2025 20:41:54

Adrian Binney

Richard - this is a well taken image. Your timing with the chick looking at you really helps.

I agree with both the tighter crop and the leg removal (although the latter wouldn't be allowable for an image within ND).

As to Lightroom, yes as Maria says, the Subject tool for masking is so accurate now - I also often prefer Object also to force Lrm to concentrate on what I want masking.

You have a nice image here. Posted: 07/21/2025 14:02:55

PID Digital Dialogue

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