Leaving the nest

Switching back to my favorite subject, birds, this image was taken our first day on the Osa Pennisula. Scarlet Macaws mate for life and this pair had been nesting in this tree for at least 5 years. The tree was on the side of road near a farmhouse. The birds were not bothered by people stopping their cars and looking and/or photographing. They were also very predictable-grooming and “caressing” each other for 15″ at sunrise and then flying from the nest out to feed. Once eggs have hatched, they will take turns staying with the nest and going out to find food. This shot is less than perfect as the lighting was not ideal and more importantly the birds were in different focal planes, but I loved the moment and who can resist the colors. About 50% FF, shadows brought up, the reds toned down (these birds are “too” colorful), and an OOF branch on the L side cloned out.