Sing Along

Gallery: AvianPosted November 19, 200993 views8 comments

Well, here's my first avian post. It was shot in the morning at a local park. Tufted Titmice and Chickadees were eating seeds that had been dropped by someone. I was lying in the snow trying to get decent shots of them. I know the seeds are distracting/ unnatural, but some other birdwatcher had dropped them, and thats where the birds were! This tufted titmouse suddenly turned his head and started singing! It was amazing, and I hope I was able to capture the moment. Thanks in advance for all you comments and critiques! Hope you enjoy!
-Cam

Tech:
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi
Tamron 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 @ 300mm f/7.1
1/1600 sec
ISO 400
80% of Original

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on November 19, 2009 at 6:04 PM

Love that catch-light and the open beak, and a nice exposure in tough conditions. I feel it could use a bit more brightness and contrast, but that's just a personal preference.

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 19, 2009 at 7:42 PM

Welcome to Avian Cam. I like the look-away pose in this case, esp with that catchlight and open beak. Nice detail too. I agree with Greg's suggestion and personally I think the bird is too tight vertically. Depending on where you have room, another crop might resolve that issue and also de-emphasize all of the seeds.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on November 19, 2009 at 8:39 PM

Absolutely fantastic, Cam! The pose is adorable. I love the sunflower sees in the snow, for me, they add to the photo. Look forward to seeing more of your images! Great first post.

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on November 19, 2009 at 8:44 PM

Nice one, Cam. I like the pose and open beak. Could be a little lighter as others have said. Not sure how I feel about the seeds. Well done.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on November 19, 2009 at 9:56 PM

Great detail here Cam, especially with that large of a crop. I like the pose he's giving you and the beak open gives even more to the picture. I like the lighting on the bird as well and the way the light makes the snow sparkle in the FG and gives way to the shadows in the BG.
Good job. Are you happy with that lense? I have a Canon 70-300 with IS and I don't feel it would give me this clear of a photo with that large of a crop. I look forward to seeing more.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on November 19, 2009 at 10:10 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll brighten it. I think my screen might not be calibrated right, because all my pictures seem dark when I view them on other computers. Thanks for the advice about the crop. I'll repost tomorrow.

John, as for the lens, its good for the money, but not great. I find that its best to shoot three identical shots with the lens, and ussually at least one shot will be sharp. I wasn't thrilled with it though, so I got a 70-200 f/2.8 IS as my primary telephoto. I would highly recommend that lens, and it completely outperforms the Tamron (as expected for the price!)

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on November 19, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Hello Cam. I like the photo just fine, my only minor nit is that it is a bit tight on the top. I would give it a bit more room if you have it.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 21, 2009 at 1:35 PM

Cam,

I like the pose of the titmouse, the open bill, the light in the bird's eye and how the snow sparkles.

I feel the crop is too tight over the birds head and believe that with a touch more room over the head your composition would be stronger.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments