Vermilion Flycatcher

Gallery: AvianPosted January 31, 2010261 views22 comments

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)

Place: Water Ranch. Gilbert, AZ, USA
Date: January 26, 2010
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, aperture priority matrix meter, 1/160th @ f/7.1
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 70% of frame

I know, I just posted a Vermilion Flycatcher 2 weeks ago, but this is a different bird in a different location on a different date. This is an immature male that's been a regular (along with an adult) at the Water Ranch.

As always, I've included a larger version for maximum detail and critical evaluation, so please view that before commenting. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 31, 2010 at 2:51 PM

Hi Richard: This is a very pleasing image. Nice perch, pleasing background. All the good stuff you'd hope for. In both images, and particularly visible in the larger version is a "white line" coming from the ULC to the bird. Kind of looks like a strand of a spider web or something... Whatever it is, I find it a distraction from a very nice image.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on January 31, 2010 at 2:54 PM

Nice photo, I like the sharpness of the bird and the OOF BG. I would suggest cloning out the small branch leading from behind the bird to out of the frame, IMHO it draws the viewers attention out of the photo. Thanks for posting.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 31, 2010 at 3:07 PM

Keith: yes, it is a spider web.

John: I don't like to delete part of the setting with cloning, so I composed to include the complete twig in the frame.

I talk more about this image in my blog post for it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 31, 2010 at 3:31 PM

Very nice as posted. I like the inclusion of vegetation both in the fg and bg and I don't think the spider web detracts...heck, it was there! This is going to be one handsome bird! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on January 31, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Beautiful combination of many wonderful elements. Great detail in the bird, perfect pose, a simple attractive background, and the touch of greens in the perch make this a great image.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on January 31, 2010 at 4:55 PM

Beautiful work on this immature male, Richard. I especially like he slight head turn you've captured. Your usual impeccable techs and comp. Very nice.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 31, 2010 at 5:32 PM

It works for me Richard, including the spider web.

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 31, 2010 at 6:07 PM

I would not change anything here. A fine image as posted.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on January 31, 2010 at 8:13 PM

The LARGER Version is a must see for the viewers, excellent job Richard. Wonderful detail, comp. perch and beautiful BG. Well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 31, 2010 at 8:13 PM

This is nice, Rich. Sometimes it's too tempting to show that big red frontal view with these birds. I like this more subdued back view.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on January 31, 2010 at 8:30 PM

Great detail and perch, Richard. Good catch!! Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 1, 2010 at 5:34 AM

Really nice Richard - you've been lucky with these. great perches and nice background with a hint of habitat.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on February 1, 2010 at 5:50 AM

You've captured some superb detail here, Richard! I especially like the cobweb strand!

Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 1, 2010 at 8:18 AM

Rich, this looks great. thanks for posting the larger image--as you well know, it makes it much more feasible to assess things like noise, sharpness, etc. As expected on one of your images, those are not an issue here.

Compositionally, I think this is excellent. I really like just about everything here—the pose, the interesting plumage, the sharpness, the background, the creosote perch. I have to admit, I am not crazy about the spiderweb. For me, it would be a(n ever-so-slightly) better image without it. However--I understand and respect your philosophy about cloning.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 1, 2010 at 11:01 AM

Beautiful image, Richard. I'm with the "spider web should go" crowd though. The reason is that, while nature photographers would appreciate such reality I'd be concerned that others would mistake it for some kind of defect. It's not easily enough recognizable by those not used to seeing such things in images.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 1, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Well, I like everything about this one!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 1, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Interesting to see the variation of colors in the immature vs mature (male vs female colors as well). Nice crisp and detailed image and I especially how the background adds to the overall image (just a hint of blue sky and bushes below). Well done.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 1, 2010 at 8:29 PM

Rich,

This is outstanding. As much as I enjoy seeing the males in full adult plumage this image pleases me so very much because it shows the details & color of the immature male so well. I love looking at the larger version and seeing the spider web so clearly. Great setting, soft light and pose. I would not change a thing.

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

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on February 2, 2010 at 12:04 PM

This is excellent Richard - I especially like the composition, it seems very balanced.

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 2, 2010 at 8:30 PM

I like the alert pose Richard and hint of habitat in the background.

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

Comment posted by Ravee Wattanatanak on February 4, 2010 at 5:13 PM

Very cute Flycatcher.

Registered on December 12, 2008, 105 Posts, 786 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 5, 2010 at 9:40 PM

Rich, I missed this one somehow. Shouldn't have. The flycatcher is superb and I love the soft greenery in the background. If the spider silk hadn't been there I'd have been tempted to clone it IN.

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