Clark's Nutcracker

Gallery: AvianPosted June 23, 2010103 views11 comments

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, monopod.

1/250, f/5.6, ISO 400

Crop to 69% (12.5 of 18MP)

After a series of unlucky days, I got a number of species the day before yesterday. I found a new spot in the forest with a very small waterhole, which allows me to get closer to the birds (sitting under a camo cloth) than the larger ones where I've been hanging out.

Light is a bit of an issue though, as shade and sun alternate quickly and there is often not much light. I'm not sure if this is too dark or not, but I like the way it looks. I am definitely pushing my luck with my shutter speeds on a monopod, on this post and my previous one. I am going to have to break down and finally get a good tripod and/or enter the world of fill flash soon.

Comments and critiques appreciated. Please view larger version if possible.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on June 23, 2010 at 9:02 PM

Brian: The nutcracker looks very sharp and you got a perfect head turn. The background is great and looks like you had nice light for this image. The colors in this image complement each other very well. I would have liked to see the bottom part of the perch included in the image if you have that option.

Congrats on your new spot and thanks for sharing this!

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on June 23, 2010 at 9:24 PM

Very cool and unique lighting, Brian; it really helps emphasize the bird's head. Great perch too!

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 23, 2010 at 10:41 PM

Get a tripod, Brian! Not that you need one when you can get this kind of detail with a monopod. This is a beauty. Gorgeous perch, perfect focus, and a very nice head turn, not to mention a beautiful bg.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 23, 2010 at 11:11 PM

Looks good to me.

Yes, get a good tripod before the flash.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 23, 2010 at 11:12 PM

Very nice image. I like the way the light creates a V on the neck. Colors are all nicely coordinated and really sharp. Good job.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on June 24, 2010 at 9:00 AM

Despite the shutter speed, photo seems to be very sharp. The BG, lighting, feather detail, pose all great. This is a nice one.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 24, 2010 at 4:11 PM

Nice, Brian. The chest-on shot loses some of the prettier field marks but the head turn is sweet.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Binda on June 25, 2010 at 7:14 AM

a bit tight for my taste Brian but it's tack sharp and I love that tranquil BG

Registered on September 8, 2007, 56 Posts, 326 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on June 25, 2010 at 12:04 PM

Hello Brian,
Very nice image. Good light, perch and background. I also like the composition.
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 25, 2010 at 6:48 PM

Nice eye contact he gave you here Brian, some fill flash would have helped with the contrasty light in this image. For my tastes it's just a little tight on the top.

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

Comment posted by David Chauvin on June 25, 2010 at 10:15 PM

Nice soft light, cool perch and bg, Brian. Very nice!

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