The Quandary of "the Second Crane": I get two reactions to this one: they either really like the second bird or they really don't! On which side do you come down? (Yeah; I like 'em...

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

I get two reactions to this one: they either really like the second bird or they really don't!
On which side do you come down?
(Yeah; I like 'em both, but don't let that influence you!)

Dave

FirstClass and Tourist

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rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I like the second bird. I've seen too many photos focusing on just one bird, so this image stands out. Most importantly, it illustrates how birds behave in a flock. In other words, it captures a particular aspect of bird behavior.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Its to my untrained eye birds in there natural habitat doing what birds do. May not have the initial impact of one bird framed against the sky or as here with the rest of the crew out of focus in the background but this has a certain charm. Like these guys are on a mission. The squadron leader seems to be shouting instructions to the follower.
A nice capture Dave.

1stJedi Loc: Southern Orange County

Personally, I like the photo, although I confess that I'm not overly fond of the way you've cropped it. Let's be realistic, it's really hard to get wild like to cooperate -- they never seem to read their contracts.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Shots of single birds in flight are all over the place. This is an interesting variation that doesn't have any obvious flaws (we could nit-pick about how one bird partly obscures the other, but it would definitely be nit-picking).

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Uuglypher wrote:

I get two reactions to this one: they either really like the second bird or they really don't!
On which side do you come down?
(Yeah; I like 'em both, but don't let that influence you!)

Dave

i like it dave the shading of the two birds is nicely done

joe

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

I like the two birds but would like it much better if the front bird exposure was opened up to be brighter that the background.

amersfoort

Only very rarely does nature co-operate with photographers.

In this instance I think I would prefer the second bird not to be there. It's presence somewhat unbalances the shot in my eyes.

Good focus with an out of focus background makes the main bird very prominent but would be even better without the presence of his buddy.

Having said that it is certainly a "keeper". Love the title of the shot by the way.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

rook2c4 wrote:

I like the second bird. I've seen too many photos focusing on just one bird, so this image stands out. Most importantly, it illustrates how birds behave in a flock. In other words, it captures a particular aspect of bird behavior.

Thanks, Rook,
That's the way the scene came down, and my basic thought was "fone" so be it"... then I started getting comments on the guy in "tourist"...
Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Billyspad wrote:

Its to my untrained eye birds in there natural habitat doing what birds do. May not have the initial impact of one bird framed against the sky or as here with the rest of the crew out of focus in the background but this has a certain charm. Like these guys are on a mission. The squadron leader seems to be shouting instructions to the follower.
A nice capture Dave.

hi, Bily,
thanks for the input. in fact, another in the series taken that morning was entitled "Dawn Leader". When these guys take of en mass in the morning it's generally a crowded mass of winds, necks, bodies and legs and I often wonder how the great majority actually get airborne!
Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

1stJedi wrote:

Personally, I like the photo, although I confess that I'm not overly fond of the way you've cropped it. Let's be realistic, it's really hard to get wild like to cooperate -- they never seem to read their contracts.

y'r right, Jedi,
Cooperation isn't in their contract!
Thanks for looking.
Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

R.G. wrote:

Shots of single birds in flight are all over the place. This is an interesting variation that doesn't have any obvious flaws (we could nit-pick about how one bird partly obscures the other, but it would definitely be nit-picking).

hi, RG,
when these "fly out" in the morning "...it's a jumble out there..." and chaces of catching the iso.ated bird is rare and random arrangements of mutiple birds in a frame is the order of the moment, and in the cool light of the laptop display in the evening the question is sometimes simply "...which random arrangement is the least displeasing."
And in the end I really kinda liked this one.

Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Papa j wrote:

i like it dave the shading of the two birds is nicely done

joe

Hanks, papaj, for looking and for commnting.
Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

gdwsr wrote:

I like the two birds but would like it much better if the front bird exposure was opened up to be brighter that the background.

Hi, gdwsr,
I hear ya', I've given more than a little thought bout the shadow values of he bird "in First Class".

Dave

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

amersfoort wrote:

Only very rarely does nature co-operate with photographers.

In this instance I think I would prefer the second bird not to be there. It's presence somewhat unbalances the shot in my eyes.

Good focus with an out of focus background makes the main bird very prominent but would be even better without the presence of his buddy.

Having said that it is certainly a "keeper". Love the title of the shot by the way.

My concern, exactly, Amersfoort;
Problem is, its the best of the images I have of this first part of he "great take-off" with two birds in it. I appreciate your frank opinion...and I'm glad you like the title!

Dave