Love Birds (Parrakeets)

[scottbergerphoto]

I took these this morning while walking the dog. The story goes that some parrots escaped from someone's house and over the years populated the neighborhood.

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/43581565.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/image/43581399.jpg

Canon 1DM2, Canon 400 f/5.6

[Leorooster]

Lovely shots.

Are they tropical birds? If so, wouldn't NY be too cold for them to survive......

[jfrancho]

Quaker Parrakeets, or Monk Parrakeets, are very durable. I used to breed (well, they bred, actually) and hand raise them. They are very intelligent. Did you see them in Brooklyn? I suspect they may migrate during winter months, since I don't think they'd survive a NY winter. They are a considered a contaminant in southern states.

[scottbergerphoto]

They make huge nests on electricity poles between the transformers and the pole to stay warm. We don't see them much in winter.

[jfrancho]

And here I was taking great lengths "draft proofing" the bird room because I was so worried that my pairs would get sick!!!!
Very neat, thanks.

[LadyHawk]

Those are nice clear pictures, Scott. Very interesting, too... do you see them often?

[Leorooster]

Which part of Brooklyn they are in. I would be interested to see them, and maybe take a couple of shots, hehe.......

Oh....what lens did you use, btw? Thanks.

[Leorooster]

Which part of Brooklyn they are in. I would be interested to see them, and maybe take a couple of shots, hehe.......

Oh....what lens did you use, btw? Thanks.

[MAD DOG]

EXCELLENT SHOTS!!!

The joys of having one of those large lenses.

[Paul A]

Very nice!!

[scottbergerphoto]

Which part of Brooklyn they are in. I would be interested to see them, and maybe take a couple of shots, hehe.......

Oh....what lens did you use, btw? Thanks.
Thanks guys.
They can be found on a stretch of Avenue O between Utica Avenue and Mill Avenue in South Brooklyn.
I was using the Canon 400 f/5.6.

[demstech]

Excellent shots... great that u had your camera with u...

[scottbergerphoto]

Excellent shots... great that u had your camera with u...
What's an extra 10 pounds hanging off my neck when I'm walking the dog? :lol:

[tupe]

Nice photos, Scott. I can see why they call them lovebirds. :)

[Leorooster]

That's why you are in shape......:) Thanks again for sharing.What's an extra 10 pounds hanging off my neck when I'm walking the dog? :lol:

[stoneylonesome]

Great shots. New York the melting pot. guess it goes for birds also :lol: :lol: :lol:

[henleg]

I love the contrast of the colours, such striking blue. Did you ps do any adjustments? Oh, the birds are gorgeous, too. ;)

[GTogs]

Great shots!

[PhotosGuy]

Nice shots!

[scottbergerphoto]

I love the contrast of the colours, such striking blue. Did you ps do any adjustments? Oh, the birds are gorgeous, too. ;)
PS CS:
1. Crop
2. Curves:
a. set black point
b. set white point
c. set grey point (eliminates any color cast)
3. Hue/Sat (sat +20)
4. Sharpening x3
a. whole image: 100, .3, 3
b. just birds(layer mask) 250, 2, 0
c. just eyes and beaks (layer mask) enough to make them pop.
5. Image>Mode>Convert to profile>sRGB
6. File>Save for web>jpeg/high/max size 800
7. Sharpen again 100, .3, 3

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

I almost bought one of those as a pet once... went with a sun coneur instead. Hilarious bird! They make the best pets ever.

[witchy]

PS CS:
1. Crop
2. Curves:
a. set black point
b. set white point
c. set grey point (eliminates any color cast)
3. Hue/Sat (sat +20)
4. Sharpening x3
a. whole image: 100, .3, 3
b. just birds(layer mask) 250, 2, 0
c. just eyes and beaks (layer mask) enough to make them pop.
5. Image>Mode>Convert to profile>sRGB
6. File>Save for web>jpeg/high/max size 800
7. Sharpen again 100, .3, 3

I seriously need to learn some photoshop skills..In your above list the only things I know how to do is crop, USM, and save! :o

Fantastic pics :)

[scottbergerphoto]

If you own and PS CS, using Layer Maks is invaluable. It eliminates the need to do time consuming selections to apply effects to only certain portions of your image. You start by applying a filter or other correction to a copy of the Background Layer. Then you apply a Layer Mask. As you paint away the Layer Mask your correction shows only where you want it.
I suggest you get Photoshop CS for Digital Photographers by Scott Kelby.

[witchy]

Thanks for that Scott, I will hunt down and get the book. :)

[LazyPhotographer]

Great shots and sooo cute!

[sparker1]

Neat shots, Scott. Here in St Pete, the parrots are all over and love winter here. Unfortunately, they mostly perch in the palm trees, making it very difficult to photograph them.