Red-necked Phalarope

[Bruno Schroder]

Taken from the shore in Kirkenes during a recent trip to the Varanger peninsula in Norway. Female and male Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) in breeding plumage.

D500/500PF fully open ISO800
EDIT: new version, following Randy's advice below.

[Randy Stout]

Bruno:

Handsome birds, particularly like #1, riding the waves.   Perhaps a bit more contrast on the birds, to help them pop a bit.

Cheers

Randy

[Bruno Schroder]

Thanks for the advice, Randy. I'm always hesitant with contrast but you are right. I prefer it like that.

[Bruno Schroder]

Colors apart, Phalaropes are interesting birds in the sense that they have reversed the traditional male/female roles. The females have brighter colors, are larger than the males and are the one fighting for the males. The male is doing the whole incubation work and taking care of the chicks while the female, once eggs are laid, looks for another male. The females also do migrate earlier, leaving the males up north to finish raising the chicks.

[Hugh_3170]

This role reversal is also the case for the Australian Emu.  Once the female lays the eggs she is off, leaving the male to incubate and raise the chicks.

[Randy Stout]

Bruno:

When I opened your thread again, I looked at the birds and thought, "those look contrasty enough to me, perhaps I was mistaken with my original impression!  Then of course I read that you had tweaked them.  Much livelier to my eye!

Cheers

Randy

[Frank Fremerey]

Bruno: Did you "paint" the contrast onto the birds or how did you create the mask? or did you apply the contrast via a layer or globally???

[Bruno Schroder]

Frank, you know how terribly basic my editing skills are. I only did an increase in ViewNX-i.

[Bruno Schroder]

When I opened your thread again, I looked at the birds and thought, "those look contrasty enough to me, perhaps I was mistaken with my original impression!  Then of course I read that you had tweaked them.  Much livelier to my eye!

Randy, it was a good advice. Thanks a lot.

[Bent Hjarbo]

NikonGear is getting more and more very good bird photographers.
Nice one Bruno

[Bruno Schroder]

Thank you, Bent. Lapland makes it easier, much more birds, much more accessible than at home.