Buff-throated Saltator

Gallery: AvianPosted March 2, 2010126 views8 comments

Olympus E-3, 300mm x2.0TC, tripod
f5.7, 1/100, ISO800

Saltator maximus, a fairly common bird in wetter areas. The feathers have an odd, scalloped effect, especially noticeable on the chest and belly that I don't recall seeing in other species. Photographed in late afternoon, in a steep-walled valley. There's a bit of motion blur, but I'm not sure what I could have done about it. The E-3 is noisy above ISO800, the birds are well beyond normal flash and a Better Beamer is simply too unwieldy to lug through jungle trails.

Cropped 10% or so from right and bottom. Some work with levels. My usual sharpening drill.

If these Panama shots are getting tedious, someone let me know.

C & C, please.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 2, 2010 at 8:17 AM

Jim, I agree, you probably had the best balance you could achieve in terms of techs here. I like the comp, and the bird looks pretty good, have you tried a little extra sharpening on the head? It's great to see these exotic birds!

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 2, 2010 at 9:15 AM

Nice shot, please continue I like reading about the conditions when you take the photos, not just tec's and species. Thanks for posting.

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 2, 2010 at 10:09 AM

Jim:
Not tedious at all. It could be the only way I can visit the birds of Panama. In general, I'm getting the impression that it is a birder's paradise in terms of subject matter but can be a photographer's nightmare in terms of shooting conditions.
I'm glad you posted the shot, even with the motion blur.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Ravee Wattanatanak on March 2, 2010 at 12:08 PM

Nice shot.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 2, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Jim,
I've enjoyed viewing another nice bird of Panama. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 2, 2010 at 8:38 PM

I never get tired of your "exotics" Jim and I enjoy the education too. You don't have to quit posting Panama shots until I quit posting harriers.

The pose is very nice as is your exposure. The motion blur is unfortunate but a potential fact of life in those conditions and at 1/100.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 2, 2010 at 9:29 PM

Keep the Panama shots coming, Jim. I am really enjoying all of these different species. A nice pose and perch. I do see the motion blur that you mention, but considering the conditions, fine job.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 4, 2010 at 7:32 AM

Jim,

Please don't quit posting your Panama shots, they make me wish I had been able to spend more time doing bird photography when I visited Panama last year. I'm envious of the species you were able to see.

I agree, you probably had the best balance for the techs on this shot considering the conditions. I like the comp, the perky pose of the bird and the head angle presented. The larger version does seem a little soft, perhaps a little more selective sharpening on the bird?

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