Bird Photographer Wanna-be

Just signed up here and love the work you folks are doing! The wife and I spent a couple weeks in Florida and I got some of my best bird photos while in the Everglades. Hope you don't mind if I share a few and if anyone would be kind enough to offer suggestions on how to improve them, I'd appreciate them. Thanks for looking.

Eric

Welcome to the forum. Florida has some good opportunities for birds, as you found out.
Your first shot shows that wonderful plumage. I find the cropping tight on our left side. It's better to leave some room for the bird to "look into".
#2 could be improved by a different perspective, one that gave a better view of the face & eye (birds don't take direction well, however ). #3 is a nice close-up, but I long to see the rest of the beak. #4 looks good.

I appreciate the comments, Jim and thank you for them.

Unfortunately, those are full frame images and no cropping took place. But, I can see where you're going with the comments and I'll try to put those suggestions to good use next time the opportunity presents.

We only spent a few hours in the Everglades and the photos - with the exception of the ring-billed gull - were taken on the Anhinga Trail. I was so excited about the opportunity to get close to birds that I got a bit carried away and never removed the 1.4x converter from the lens.

Thanks again.

Eric

I can't remember who said that, but you've got the eyes at odd angles in all of these shots - leading to a reduced involvement from the viewer. Your exposures and sharpness are impressive.

Thanks for that, Jim. I never thought about the angle of the eyes in wildlife photos. The Anhinga Trail is an elevated walkway through a section of the 'Glades. You can get real close to the birds, but you're shooting down at them giving these strange angles.

The exposure and sharpness are more a credit to the Nikon D300 and their 300mm f/4 than anything I did.

Shoot from further back and flatten the angle. Always wait fot a catchlight in the eye. Believe me, most wannabe bird photographers struggle with sharpness and exposure.

Hey Eric,

Thanks for sharing. While I will agree with you that the camera and gear help in terms of sharpness (and exposure), it does not matter if you don't have good technique. It appears that you have this. I do agree with Jim about the angles of the birds eyes...particularly on the cormorant and the egret. Cormorant eyes are some of the most beautiful things.

James