Lovely photo. Which lens do you use? I have a 14 - 150mm and am researching some with longer reach for my 4/3 system (impotus being birding). Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, I think using the software is going to be the most beneficial thing I focus on for quite some time.

I really appreciate the offer, but at the moment I am focusing on feedback and advice, rather than demonstration. Being at such an early stage I would like to see my own editting progression (as advised elsewhere, I plan on putting this image to the side until I am more confident with subtle editing on such an image).

It was shot in RAW, but I am incredibly new to editing in software not on my phone. Another comment mentioned curves and levels which seems to be the route to go, but it is very daunting going that route for the first time. I intend to do a little research and have a go at lifting the shadows just enough to ideally see more of the face (as they are the lighter feathers anyway).

Edit: This worked, wasn’t sure how to upload an image inside a comment.

Oh, a lot here definitely have the forked tails here. But typically when they are less ‘fanned-out’ as in this picture.

Edit: I just looked at some of the other pictures and most do have the wide fanned tail, maybe because they were flying slowly, scanning the ground for something (there must have been something interesting nearby as there were a few around).

We have a lot where I live, I am by no means an expert but it may because it was making a hard turn.

Thank you. This is probably the advice I needed to hear. I know I will need to come back to photos again as my skills improve, but because this photo was so incredibly lucky I wanted to really lean into it.

Thank you, I did look at them briefly, but everything went very weird, very quickly, more research is definitely required. Do you recommend any key resources?

First thing I would suggest is to be kind to yourself and forgive yourself, and then… baby steps. Not only do baby steps eventually compound but they prevent any over training from holding yourself to old expectations.

I listened to the audiobook from Audible (GBP £8 ~ US $10) and would definitely say it was worth it. However, I understand the differences between the Martian and PHM can be divisive, but I loved it.

Only one from your list I have read is Piranesi, but I just had to say I really enjoyed it. I’m a big fan of the genre so it was admittedly right up my street.

Some titles from my ‘Short’ TBR list include

• The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler after really enjoying The Mountain in the Sea.
• The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (#3 in the Long Earth Series).

In terms of waiting I only have a couple

• Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss… But by now I should probably reread the first two once it is actually out.
• The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal (#4 in the Lady Astronaut series).

Edit: removing a spoiler that didn’t get redacted properly.

I loved it, and am eagerly awaiting Bookshops and Bonedust.

I listened to the audiobook for the first one, and really enjoyed it. I should pick up the next one.

‘Joshua, you are fun to know, and a good companion, reliable and all that, even if you are a little bit weird. Someday we might be friends,’ she said a bit more gently. ‘But please don’t make comments about my legs. You’ve seen very little of my legs since most of the time they are inside premium grade thorn-proof battledress. And it’s naughty to guess, OK?’

• The Long Earth By Stephen Baxter & Terry Pratchett

I read upgrade, really enjoyed it can’t decide between dark matter and recursion as the next one to pick up. Do you have any thoughts on either?

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Ray Porter, so maybe he delivered it in a way that meant I didn’t notice it. But I did notice a similar vibe in Artemis (also audio, but narrated by someone else, cant recall who).

Edit: a typo and to add it was Rosario Dawson that narrated Artemis

I really enjoyed Heaven’s River, but I also enjoy a slice of life book, and really liked all the world building with the otter world, I can definitely see where you are coming from though.

My milage has dropped a fair bit recently with my eldest starting school and our routine being upended. Each run is feeling harder but I keep telling myself that there is no optimum routine any more and if I miss the ‘best’ time to run, that just means I need to look for the ‘next best’ time… Crammed a 5k into my lunch break yesterday and I am proud of myself.

If you listen to podcasts I recommend S2E1 of ‘How Other Dad’s Dad with Hamish Blake’ Joe Brumm, the creator of bluey, is a guest.

I also recommend the podcast generally also.