Buff-throated Saltidor

Gallery: AvianPosted February 21, 2010107 views6 comments

I'm not certain how well this will show but thought I'd post it anyway. This shot was taken at the Selva Verde Eco Lodge during my recent trip to Costa Rica last month. It was a very rainy day and the conditions were challenging for a novice such as myself, but I captured this image from an overhang of the lodge as this fellow was attempting to dine on some fruit at the feeder. Thanks for looking and C&C's would be greatly appreciated.

D300
70-200mm
200mm
1.4TC
1/200sec @f/4
ISO 800

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 21, 2010 at 11:53 AM

Hi Chuck, I like the head on pose from this attractive species. Some fill flash would have helped to light up the breast and belly feathers more. If it were mine I would crop about an inch off the bottom to minimize the oof cement feeder.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 21, 2010 at 12:37 PM

Lightened up and cropped as suggested...any better?

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 21, 2010 at 12:43 PM

It looks to me like by lightening up the image and the belly some you introduced more noise into the image. This is often a problem when adjusting exposure in post processing especially with the shadow/highlight tool so it's better to try and "get it right in the field". You could try something in between the 2 in terms of lightening the belly etc and see if it works better. Comp wise I would have kept the extra room on the top that is in your original post.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 21, 2010 at 1:08 PM

I have one other thought regarding this shooting situation and the feeder. When confronted with a not really attractive feeder I will often place some perchs near to the feeder or attached to the feeder which hopefully the birds will land on during their trips to and from the feeder. Another option is to place a mossy log on top of the actual feeder and the birds will often land on that first.

I wrote an article about some of the equipment I use in such situations on my website, if anyone wants to to take a look its at http://www.trogontours.net/february2010

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 21, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Charles, I go along with Nate's comments and suggestions on this one.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 21, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Charles,

I would crop some from the bottom to minimize the OOF feeer at the bottom and crop a smidge from the right tisde to balance out the crop.

There is quite a bit of noise in the second version, I would try for some where in between the two versions as far as brightness goes.

I like the pose of the bird, it feels like it is deciding whether to stay or fly away from you.

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