Eastern Kingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted May 19, 2010112 views11 comments

These little flycatchers seem to have no fear. I have seen them attack Crows, Hawks and today, a Vulture. They will also attack animals and people near their nest. Maybe that is why their name is Tyrannus tyrannus.

This was taken this morning in Chicago Botanic Gardens.

Thanks for looking and for any comments and suggestions.

Canon 50D, 300mm f/4 IS w/1.4 handheld, 1/2500 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Jay Martin on May 19, 2010 at 7:34 PM

Very nice shot Hans! Great job on the exposure. There seems to be a light halo around the bird - is it just a remnant of the OOF BG? I'd also like to see a little more room around the edges - the tail seems a little tight, but that's just a personal preference. Great shot of this striking flycatcher.

Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 19, 2010 at 10:00 PM

Beautiful, Hans. Excellent detail and exposure and a very classic pose. Ditto on the halo question.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 19, 2010 at 10:17 PM

Very nice post Hans. Good job on the exposure and the background is lovely.

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

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on May 19, 2010 at 11:08 PM

Hi Hans,
I think most of the nits have been covered. I think the light was a little harsh for a bird with black and white feathers. It appears you have done the best you could have with such a diffcult bird.
Good job of getting this guy on a good perch and great background. I don't have a problem with the tight crop, looks fine as posted.
Thanks for posting.

Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 19, 2010 at 11:53 PM

Excellent, Hans. I don't see the halo, and I like the tight crop. I also agree with your assessment of the attitude of the males.

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on May 20, 2010 at 7:37 AM

The posture of the bird is really nice and the bg is a plus. I do see a halo of brightness around the bird but this is really nice as presented.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 20, 2010 at 12:32 PM

Neat pose and perch here Hans and good job on the exposure, I see what could be a halo.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on May 20, 2010 at 12:57 PM

Very nice image, Hans.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on May 20, 2010 at 2:35 PM

Very nice detail on the mighty kingbird. Good capture!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 20, 2010 at 8:03 PM

Hans:
I suspect the halo came from the Shadow/Highlight tool (I have lots of experience with S/H halos!). The photo will be terrific after adjustment.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 20, 2010 at 8:26 PM

Hans,

I love the pose of the Kingbird, the nice colors in the background and how you handled the challenges of exposing a black & white bird. I think that this image is worth reprocessing to eliminate the halo. In the field I may have used f7.1 to increase the dof some and you would have still had enough shutter speed to get things sharp.

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