Female Red Crossbill

Gallery: AvianPosted July 2, 2010135 views19 comments

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

1/250, f/5.6, ISO 800

Crop to 50% of original (9 of 18MP).

I am still enjoying a new location, and the opportunity to shoot crossbills at close range. This is the same perch as my Clark's Nutcracker, and it appears to be some other photographer's setup perch.

I like the details, the bill, and the way the colors in the bg are so close to those of the bird. A little more DOF for the back leg would have been nice, but I was limited by the low light. Perhaps I could have pushed the ISO a little further, as this is shown without any NR.

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

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 2, 2010 at 1:38 PM

Wow, that really shows off the crossed beak to perfection. Nice bg and exposure too

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 2, 2010 at 2:16 PM

500mm + 1.4X TC + 50% crop = close range?! I guess these birds are tough to get near

I think it held up well, but what is best about this photo is the angle that shows the 'crossing bill' - it seems particularly accentuated here.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 2, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Very nice, Brian. If you meet that other hypothetical photographer, you'll have to thank them for the perch-it's really cool.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on July 2, 2010 at 2:55 PM

I like this a great deal!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on July 2, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Beautifully captured, great perch and BG

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 2, 2010 at 3:02 PM

Hi Luke, if I'm reading my exif data correctly, this was taken at a distance of 7.19m (23.3ft), which is only a couple meters farther than the lens's minimum focal distance of 4.5m (15ft). In fact, sitting under my camo cloth, at this range I cannot fit a whole Northern Flicker in the frame. So I'd consider this pretty close for any passerine. This image is full frame vertically, the crop is from the sides for comp.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 2, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Another nice one. Excellent presentation of the crossbill.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 2, 2010 at 3:56 PM

Hard pressed to find any nits with this shot. Love the perch and composition.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on July 2, 2010 at 3:59 PM

Great shot Brian. I like the bill of course, and the great colors and detail.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 2, 2010 at 7:55 PM

Neat crossbill Brian. Your own critique is just what I would have said. I like your honesty about the potential setup perch too. Reminds me of a Burrowing Owl I posted last year where the perch was a rock on top of some concrete. I suspect the rock was placed there by some other photographer but I didn't mention that possibility in my post. Won't happen again...

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

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on July 3, 2010 at 6:34 AM

Very nice shot! Congrats

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on July 3, 2010 at 6:36 AM

Cool head turn to show the bill, nice detail and background.

There seems to be a bit of a blue cast in the shadows.

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

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on July 3, 2010 at 9:37 AM

I like the pose and perch, the bg is as good as it gets. My only nit is the lighting looks a tad off which is no fault of yours. Did you consider using FF? Also you said you used no NR @ ISO 800 which is very impressive considering the bad rap the 7D gets for noise. Personally I don't go over 400 ISO with mine. This is a very nice image Brian and I would be thrilled to get a shot just like it.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on July 3, 2010 at 2:59 PM

Love that bill and how this shot shows it off. Nice subtle colors. Great details. I think you've found a great spot to shoot.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 4, 2010 at 9:23 AM

Interesting bird, fine detail, lovely complementary colors, terrific perch, Brian. I would be nice to have that left foot in focus. However, that really is a nit. This is a beautiful shot.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 4, 2010 at 4:31 PM

Brian,

I love the great view of the crossed bill, the tones in the background, details, setting and comp. I agree with your own evaluation of the image. Nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 7, 2010 at 1:17 PM

Excellent shot Brian, I have never seen one of these. Great feather detail on larger version, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on August 17, 2010 at 2:03 PM

Wow, nice sharp capture and the bill is very impressive!

Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 17, 2010 at 5:46 PM

Great view of that most unusual bill, excellent detail evident in the larger image. Nice background too.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments