"Locals" at Grand Canyon

[Nat]

When I visited the Grand Canyon, I was pleased that these two "locals" spent a lot of time mooching food from me and my daughter. They were almost eating out of our hands, which allowed me ample time to shoot them....just getting around to processing them. I used some Topaz Adjust on them.



Love birds:


Taking in the view


My advice? Don't stand underneath......


That last one would make a nice cutout to use in another photo....will have to try CS5's selection tools.

[Donald]

That's an excellent study, Nat. You've nailed it spot-on.

[Nat]

Thank you, Donald....I can't believe the detail myself...hand held shot...using my 18-200mm Nikon VR lens!

[Goldcoastgolfer]

That first one is a great capture - nicely done!

[tbob]

These are my favorite birds. Their intelligence and mischievious nature is amazing. I will probably never get as good a picture as #1 as they are regarded as vermin around here and extremely wary of people. Pointing a camera equates to a gun in their minds (I assume from the reaction) so even when perched they will bolt at the first sign of what they take to be excessive attention. I may build a blind and get them habituated to it to get shots of feeding off a deer carcase.

I may have to steal #1 for my wall; in perhaps an even tighter crop to remove some more of the background. I like all four however.

[Jack R Mann]

Great shots great detail, like all 4.

[SpiderBob]

Like bird shots myself. Yours, very well done. As was said, spot on.

[Dave Humphries]

A good series Nat.

Yes, they sometimes seem almost as prevalent as pigeons round my way, but fortunately in the recreational parks where people eat picnics in summer, or feed the river fowl (all year), they are sufficiently trusting (or hungry) to venture closer to humans. I did get some better shots recently, I must PP them sometime - but even so, these are much better than mine will be.

Cheers,

[Nat]

Thank you all for the nice comments. I wish we had them around here, they have to be nicer than Turkey Vultures or Black Vultures. Now those flock together in huge numbers and can damage roofs. There is a flock not far from me with at least 50 vultures. THOSE are pests, but they do clean up the nasties....so I will be kind.

[Maritimer1]

Very nice shots all round, but that first one with the feather detail and sheen from the colours is superb.

If these are crows, they are everywhere in Nova Scotia, and they are not afraid of people! I ask as I get them confused with ravens. After reading an article about crows and their intelligence a few months ago, my respect has increased.

[Nat]

THank You, guys! These were Ravens....about 3 times the size of crows.....and these two were quite used to people....and put on a show....