Though you can't see it, the "hand of man" is there! This massive cluster of nests was found under a roof overhang of a water pumping station at a wetlands park near Palo Alto California. After the swallows feldged, sparrows took over the nests to raise their young. Admirable use of limited housing!

-- Todd Frederick (fredrick@hotcity.com), July 04, 2000

Answers

This is a great photo in need of some cropping. You have timed things perfect (the gaping yaw of the bird) but I would move a little tighter to the bird. Showing some of the other 'nests' has provided extra information about the scene (which I believe is good) but a tighter crop with just one other nest would definately have greater impact and have the same 'information' aspect. Use the bird and the 'nest' to the top right (upper left quarter of the image). Crop out the rest and you would have a much more dynamic photo as the nests now create a subtle implied diagonal from top right to bottom left in the image space.

Cheers!

-- Alan McCord (lightandglass@hotmail.com), August 02, 2000.