DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
Portfolio Images
Nesting Season
3rd PlaceNesting Season
vawendy


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Spring (Advanced Editing VII)
Collection: 2012 Challenge shots
Camera: Canon EOS-7D
Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS
Date: May 13, 2012
Date Uploaded: May 13, 2012

[May. 22nd, 2012 09:54:06 PM]

In 2011, I came across an osprey nest for which there was good photographic access.

I stalked the nest for a number of days, hours per day.

It wasn't a happy ending.

Rest in peace, baby osprey...

I came back this year, not knowing whether to be hopeful that they'd build again in such an incredible place, or hope that they wouldn't build again in such a precarious place.

They've built again.

This is in the early stages of nesting -- nest is built, and she's just starting to stay in the nest. I'm hoping to brave the chiggers and ticks and spend some more time out there this spring and summer. It's truly a wonder experience watching these beautiful birds. I bring my kindle, my camera, tripod, and shutter release, keeping one eye out for movement, and the other for reading and spend multiple hours watching, reading, and waiting.

Thanks for the kind votes and comments! There are some truly awesome shots in this challenge. If the birds in the bird box doesn't beat me, you're all insane!!

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 133
Avg (all users): 7.0256
Avg (commenters): 7.8000
Avg (participants): 6.8654
Avg (non-participants): 7.1538
Views since voting: 3348
Views during voting: 234
Votes: 117
Comments: 32
Favorites: 4 (view)

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 06/02/2012 04:08:04 PM
Congrats! This is a good one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/26/2012 09:54:25 AM
Congrats on the ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/25/2012 07:28:19 PM
Congrats on the ribbon, Wendy. One of my top line.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/24/2012 03:10:50 AM
I LOVED THIS ONE AND MY ONLY 10 WHEN VOTING...
XOX FROM SHEZ XOX
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/24/2012 12:15:47 AM
I think this makes 17 of the last 20 in the top ten. That is amazing! Love that head poking out of the nest. Nice work as always!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 11:54:04 PM
Very nice Wendy. I love the in flight capture. The eyes are amazing!

Message edited by author 2012-05-24 00:17:36.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 05:26:18 PM
Originally posted by aliqui:
It's a great scene, but honestly the blown highlights detract from the scene for me.


I do agree -- however it's a very difficult area to shoot. The birds are actually quite dark, so you need to overexpose to get the details in the shadows. Even though I shoot RAW, when it's bright sunlight, you either lose the shadows or over expose the head/wing tops. Too bad it can't shoot fast enough to bracket while flying! :)

You're at the mercy of the light.
 05/23/2012 04:58:56 PM
This had to be your shot Wendy! Nicely done and congrats on the yellow Ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 01:35:14 PM
Congrats on the great shot Wendy. And the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 01:21:39 PM
Love this, great work Wendy!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 11:13:45 AM
Congratulations Wendy! A very Wow shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 09:53:20 AM
Congrats on the ribbon Wendy! You rock!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 09:35:42 AM
Yay, they're back! And you were there to capture it! Congrats, Wendy, on another of your splendid images.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 08:57:50 AM
Beautiful capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 07:40:56 AM
Fantastic shot! Congrats on the ribbon
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 06:23:31 AM
You have once again captured so well the stunning beauty of these creatures. Beautiful shot, Wendy.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 03:39:18 AM
Wow, beautiful!
You're a magician when it comes to bird shots. Congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 03:07:33 AM

Jeez, this is like the third stamp I've worn out on you! :)
Spectacular image, unbelievable effort and devotion - well deserved!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 01:49:53 AM
It's a great scene, but honestly the blown highlights detract from the scene for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 01:49:04 AM
Another great shot to add to your collection. Awesome capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 12:46:47 AM
this one had to be yours. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 12:38:23 AM
Congrats, how could you resist those beady eyes.....lol
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 12:33:24 AM
The bird lady strikes again, congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 12:09:43 AM
Congrats Wendy; this was a favorite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/23/2012 12:05:53 AM
This is the image I wish I had captured. Congrats on your well deserved ribbon win.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/22/2012 09:39:44 PM
Kudos to you on this magnificent capture. Your timing is impeccable. Amazing wingspan extended detail. The light is a bit harsh, but if you hadn't had full sunlight, you wouldn't have been able to freeze the action so professionally. Okay, it's a 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2012 09:03:53 PM
Nice capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/22/2012 08:28:46 PM
I am partial to any bird image and this is a keeper. Great timing. (voted earlier)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/20/2012 03:09:32 PM
Fabulous capture!

(commenting only)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/17/2012 04:52:01 PM
Nice photo, I am very drawn to the little ones eye.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2012 04:48:17 PM
Very cool!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/16/2012 01:59:28 AM
Love the beady eyes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/10/2025 03:42:08 PM EDT.