Song Sparrow

Gallery: AvianPosted March 28, 2010102 views8 comments

I think this is a Savannah Sparrow. I've seen a few before, but they don't stay long. I was waiting for a muskrat to show up at the pond and was happy to have something to photograph while waiting.

Comments and critiques are appreciated.

EOS 1D,400 2.8 w/1.4 extender,ISO 250,1/400 @f5.6, fill flash @-1.7,about 50% of the frame. Cloned out a few weed ends at the frame edge. Looks like a little noise in the BG. Probably from the crop.

Thanks.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 28, 2010 at 10:56 PM

Jerry, I like the setting here, the habitat is present without being "busy." It's a good pose and perch, and I think the comp works.

This is a Song Sparrow--sparrows are a tricky bunch, but the strength of the face pattern and the richness of the browns (some red in them), and the long tail are subtle clues.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 29, 2010 at 12:54 AM

Jerry, I aree with Brian and also like the comp a lot in this. These guys always seem to ahng out on the ground arounf these dried up cattails and to get them in the open is a real challenge sometimes. Nice job!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on March 29, 2010 at 8:58 AM

Thanks for the correction. I'll change the title of the post to reflect the correct sparrow. Sometimes they all look alike to me. I appreciate the comments also.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on March 29, 2010 at 9:33 AM

Jerry
The folage at the tail is a little distracting but I am being pickey. I would be very proud of this one.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on March 29, 2010 at 12:13 PM

Nice image, Jerry. I like the comp and habitat. I would have liked a bit more space on the left. Also, the image seems a bit flat to me. I'm thinking some fill flash might have helped that. I would try a bit more contrast and sharpening to see it that might help.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 29, 2010 at 1:18 PM

Jerry,
I like this composition. Very nice pose and setting too.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 29, 2010 at 8:13 PM

Interesting composition Jerry and it does work for me. I like the perch too and think the setting is just fine. I agree with you that you've got some noise.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 30, 2010 at 7:08 AM

Jerry,

I like the setting and the sparrow's pose, the light in the bird's eye and the nice brown tones throughout the image. I like the composition you have presented here but I also wonder how this would look in a landscape format. Cropping out the OOF stuff at the bottom would put put more focus on the strong graphic lines of the grasses the sparrow is perched on, I'd add a little more room on the left & right side of the frame. Just curious, I think that would make a strong comp.

I see the noise you mentioned but don't find it to be a large issue.

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