Eye on You
by Phocal

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Glad it finished as high as it did, for not being a *true* macro. But considering what your subject is and how close you were - flat on your belly, 8ft away - well, sure makes it a much more interesting close up than just flowers or food. Love how the gator's eye is reflecting so much detail. Kinda freaky too how much the gator looks like dragon of yore, or a rocky primeval landscape with a little forest of duckweed growing on it :-)

Also glad to see that you know the importance of getting eye-level and then some with wildlife shots, it adds so much more than being shot from just a standing position.

Keep up the good work! :-)

Susan

Eye on You
by Phocal

Comment by clickodak:
Beautiful shooting on focus I give 9

Eye on You
by Phocal

Comment by PennyStreet:
An exceptional close up.

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

Glad to see that I gave you a 6 for this. Taken at sunrise...now that's dedication! And you got that wicked gorgeous golden light to shoot in. Like you I'm a big fan of using relatively little pp, and am glad you used only global adjustments.

Having said that, I do wish that right third had been cropped out...those weeds, and that long straight piece of grass, are in sharp focus and are competing with the bird for the focal point here, as they are so dark and dominant and the bird is leavin in a hurry. That's the hard part when shooting little birds, they are so skittish and fast.

Still, a very nice pic and glad it finished well, so be proud of it :-)

Susan

Eye on You
by Phocal

Comment by WonderDude:
This is an excellent photo. But it doesn't really seem like macro. Still it deserves a decent vote.

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by PaulFrocchi:
Beautiful light and flight

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by SJCarter:
Stunning. Got a 9 from me.

Golden Flight
by Phocal

Comment by IreneM:
Beautiful. Hope for top 3 for you.

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by colorcarnival:
I've never seen an armadillo prepping for a leap lol. The detail you captured - especially with the fine hairs is great.

Texturized
by Phocal

Comment by snaffles:
Greetings from the Critique Club!

What, those things can run? Never would have guessed it, but bet it can dig like hell with those claws! I see that I was one of your 7s, so happy that I was :-) I do like the heavy plating and those hairs on the back over the bands. This is one of the very few times where I can say that I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more contrast and a hit of sharpening just to further emphasize that fantastical texture. The b/w is a good choice as that way the form of the armadillo draws us further in.

Hope this has been helpful!

Susan