Song Sparrow

Gallery: AvianPosted January 24, 2010137 views16 comments

Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: December 27, 2009
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority spot metered, ISO 400, 1/320th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 88% of frame

This image is part of a small series with slightly different positions. This bird popped up nearby as I was shooting large waders and stayed put while I lifted my tripod and set it down on my other side to get these close views.

I talk more about head position, light, and setting for this set of images on my blog.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please base critical comments on the larger version if possible.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 24, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Love this one Richard - particularly the light and the habitat.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 24, 2010 at 2:48 PM

Richard: Lovely light on the sparrow. Cool pose hanging onto the reed. For me, the background is a bit too busy. The light catching some of the reeds competes for my attention on the sparrow.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Wilson on January 24, 2010 at 3:57 PM

Very nice light, love the body position, very natural. Nice natural looking background without clutter. I'm just bought a 300 f2.8 AF-I Nikkor and a TC 20-E II in LN condition from KEH. If you have a minute to e-mail me and let me know any tips you might have, I would appreciate them. (I know yours is the AFS version)

Registered on November 1, 2003, 573 Posts, 2211 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 24, 2010 at 4:13 PM

Lovely detail and the lighting is just great. I saw the blog post awhile ago and agree with what you say. I always take bursts shots even with perched birds for the subtle differences you can pickup.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 24, 2010 at 4:44 PM

The light direction makes this one for me Rich. I like the look at the viewer too. The BG and habitat add IMO.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 24, 2010 at 4:52 PM

I have no problem with birds facing the camera. Works for me as posted.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 24, 2010 at 6:05 PM

Nicely done Richard, nice DOF with the head and most of the body in focus, and nice warm light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 24, 2010 at 6:06 PM

Nicely done Richard, nice DOF with the head and most of the body in focus, and nice warm light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 24, 2010 at 7:32 PM

Beautiful light, and I like the slight head turn in this image, Richard.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 24, 2010 at 8:43 PM

The light, colors and tone of this work really well Richard. The only distraction for me is the one bit of OOF reed that comes to the sparrow's right shoulder. I think a little bit of burning on it would take care of that.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on January 24, 2010 at 11:00 PM

Very nice soft light and I like the out of focus grass to the birds right, it makes the bird "pop" even more. Feels a bit centered.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 25, 2010 at 6:04 AM

Love the side lighting as well as the detail you've kept in the shaded side. Wonderful pose also.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 25, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Lovely light and I love the saucy pose. The vegetation adds to the image IMO and doesn't detract.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 25, 2010 at 1:45 PM

Rich,

I enjoyed this image a lot when you posted it on your blog and I am glad to get to view it all over again. The light in this image is lovely and I love the pose of the sparrow, the head on look feels great to me, almost as if the sparrow is very curious about you but comfortable with your presence too.

I like the graphical lines of the grass stalks and the details, sharpness and comp.

A fine & appealing image as posted.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 25, 2010 at 4:09 PM

Lovely image - light, pose, detail habitat - all good.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 26, 2010 at 5:31 PM

It is interesting to me how the head position will really impact a picture. I guess it just depends, some days I like sparrow 153 other days 148 on your blog, wonderful series and comparison images on your blog.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments