Oregon Junco & Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted July 31, 2010251 views18 comments

I thought so at first, but on a closer look I wouldn't bet lunch on it. A first year something, anyhow. All suggestions will be entertained. My sources do not have much in the way of juvenile plumages. I liked the cleanness of the plumage, and the bg in this one (mixed sunset flowers and California poppies).

7D, 500mm f4 + 1.4TC, Black Widow on Gitzo Legs, f6.3, 1/2000, iso 400, Av mode with -1/3 compensation, a sliver shaved off the left and bottom. Normal processing in CS4. Subject distance 6.8m, taken July 30th at 7:21 pm.

Thanks for the corrections on the species. In retrospect I should have known.

I always look forward to your comments and suggestions.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 31, 2010 at 3:43 PM

Hi Dennis,
Wow, that's an electric background. I might have cloned out the one bright oof branch near it's tail. Love this shot! I think it's a juvenile Dark-eyed Junco.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 31, 2010 at 3:46 PM

Nice LBJ (little brown job) image, Dennis. Beautiful background. Great pose and perch. I might be tempted to clone out the little whitish thing on the far LHS near the tip of the tail.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on July 31, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Stunning background Dennis. Overall gorgeous image.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 31, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Definitely not a House Finch - the beak alone is enough to put this bird among the sparrows and not the finches. I don't get to see young juncos, but I think Nate is probably right as there is that white outer edge tot he tail showing already.

Here's the description from Beadle and Rising's Sparrows of the United States and Canada (The Photographic Guide)

Obvious dusky streaking on head and breast. The upperparts are washed brownish and moderately streaked darker. Note buffy tips to the greater coverts forming a noticeable wing-bar. Differs from other streaky juvenile sparrows in having outer tail feathers extensively white.

Nice detail in the image. Good pose and background.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 31, 2010 at 6:47 PM

Love the background in this shot Dennis, it is very cheery. I would be tempted to clone out the bright thing by the bird's tail. Love the pose of the bird, the nice head angle, details and sharpness. I also like that the stem that the bird is using as a perch has some of the same colors present in the background. Well done.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 31, 2010 at 8:28 PM

Great little bird that stands out exceptionally well with this wonderful BG.
Agree with cloning out the thing by the tail and perhaps a tighter crop - then it's just about perfect!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 31, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Gosh that's a perty background! I'm thinking Junco of some sort. Maybe a little more room at the bottom and left. A lovely photo!!!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on July 31, 2010 at 10:07 PM

Glorious background colours Dennis and I also like the detail youve captures in the bird's plumages and the pose.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on August 1, 2010 at 5:53 AM

Nice Dennis-love the colorful background and the sharpness of the subject.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 1, 2010 at 7:21 AM

Background and setting to die for Dennis. i'd be tempted to take some off the top and add some to the bottom if you have any.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Harshad Barve on August 1, 2010 at 7:48 AM

terrific image and killer BG

Registered on July 25, 2010, 39 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on August 1, 2010 at 8:31 AM

Fabulous shot with an incredibly pretty bg! This one needs a frame for sure!!! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 1, 2010 at 10:00 AM

what a beauty, Dennis! nice crisp juvenile plumage with excellent detail, spectacular bg, and a great perch too. I agree about cloning at left, and that it does seem a little tight on the bottom. great shot, Dennis. definitely a junco.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 1, 2010 at 12:21 PM

A lot of people thought this would be improved with the bright flower bud removed behind the tail. Here's a quick modification of the 720 pixel file.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 1, 2010 at 1:37 PM

Very nice Dennis. Not much to add. The repost looks great.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on August 1, 2010 at 3:21 PM

The BG is awesome but not too electric to overwhelm the bird. Nice job!

Dan

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

Comment posted by May Haga on August 1, 2010 at 8:57 PM

Yes, Dennis like it even better with that one small bright branch cloned out.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on August 2, 2010 at 6:05 AM

I love this one. Terrific work Dennis!

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments