Trip to the Francis Beidler Forest

[Clovishound]

I made a trip to a local Audubon sanctuary yesterday for the first time in over a year. The Pup and I have visited there several times over the last few years. Normally we have gone in late fall, winter without getting a lot of decent photos. I decided to try it during spring, as the prothonotary warblers are supposed to nest there this time of year. It's a short half hour drive and I showed up shortly after they opened. There were already a lot of photographers on the 1.9 miles of boardwalk over a virgin tupelo, cypress swamp. I walked a lot, and talked to a number of the shooters, all were very friendly. Got a few photos of the warblers, but nothing to write home about. Thought I'd check out the small lake at one end. Nice lady volunteer was taking a break and told me one of the cypress knees close to the deck had a nest and the parents were ferrying food to the little ones. I set up my tripod and a little while later the dad showed up with some mayflies and a caterpillar. These are amazingly beautiful little birds that are normally rare to see in our area. I will be making another trip there soon.

Mayflies anyone?

Mom getting into the act.

Dad feeding the kids.

 

[blackstar]

Wonderful shots at a wonderful place!

 

[Bikerbrent_RIP]

Yes, Clovishound, great photos.

 

[Clovishound]

Quick question about the first photo. When processing I masked the eye and brought up the exposure to get detail. This has become almost a standard with bird pictures for me. In fact I ended up doing a second radial mask to bring the pupil back to dark as reflections came up with the exposure adjustment. Anyway, I notice that looking at prothonotary warbler pictures online they all have solid black eyes. I find the detail in the eyes to be much more pleasing, but should I, since it looks like it might be unnatural for this species? The last two had a much less noticeable adjustment made, but I did make the irises visible vs the more or less solid black of the original. Looking at the description for this bird, it lists them as having dark eyes.

 

[Clovishound]

I went back and looked at some and decided I probably should at least tone down the eye exposure.

Here is an example.

This is how I originally edited the eyes. Looks about right for most birds.

Here is what I re edited to in order to bring a more natural look, but still retain some detail and interest in the eye.

The unedited was solid black.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, just got back from my second trip to the forest. Not as much going on today. Unfortunately, the nest close to the deck was empty. That's where I was hoping to get some good shots at. I managed a couple of the warblers, had a barred owl pose for us, and a couple other critters. Worth the trip, but not as good as I was hoping.

A rather colorful damsel fly.

A brown water snake laying on a cypress knee. He must have just molted as his eyes were cloudy. They came out rather blue after editing, so I had to mask them and adjust the color.

Warbler made it through the drive through.

Not sure what he did to get barred, but here is the barred owl. Too many pictures with branches, sticks and leaves in the way. That, and him looking away/