Pygmy Nuthatch

Gallery: AvianPosted September 6, 2010150 views21 comments

For a long time I didn't have any shots of Pygmy Nuthatches even though I've always really liked this cute and charismatic little species. They are so common that I always tended to focus on other subjects and thought I could get them any time. Now that I've spent some time trying to photograph them, I am surprised to find how difficult they are to capture, as they do not hold still for long. This shot, I think, conveys that constant energy. Does the comp work here, or is it a little too centered? I do have more room on the left.

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

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, tripod. Set-up perch.

1/250, f/8, ISO 400. Natural light.

Crop to 57% (9.6 of 18MP)

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 6, 2010 at 5:55 PM

The comp is great for me Brian, as is the entire image. Great light, detail, sharpness on the bird. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 6, 2010 at 6:09 PM

Your comp is fine and it's an excellent shot! Sharon

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on September 6, 2010 at 6:19 PM

What a cute little thing he is. Great detail and sharpness here Brian

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on September 6, 2010 at 6:52 PM

This works for me. The PNW nuthatch never seems to hold its pose for too long and is always busy going about its routine. Good catch, nice sharpness.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Webster on September 6, 2010 at 9:25 PM

Greetings Brian...This image works for me. Nice perch, nice background, and the head-down pose is so typical of this bird. Your patience is well rewarded. I think the composition is fine as presented. Nice catch.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 73 Posts, 644 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 6, 2010 at 11:16 PM

Sweet, Brian. I like the light and pose a lot. It does feel to me like it might benefit from a bit more on the left, but I'd have to see it to be sure.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on September 7, 2010 at 12:36 AM

Comp works perfectly for me - very classic pose! Nicely done!

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on September 7, 2010 at 2:49 AM

Comp's fine for me. The light's good and it's sharp too. Well done.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on September 7, 2010 at 6:36 AM

no nits, I like the light and detail you have on the bird

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 7, 2010 at 7:14 AM

Very fine details this close, nice catchlight Brian.
Like the diagonal comp and the classic pose here as well

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 7, 2010 at 8:17 AM

Like the diagonal perch and detail Brian - well done

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 7, 2010 at 1:32 PM

Wouldn't change a thing, great shot. Beautiful detail and lighting on the nuthatch.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 7, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Brian,
the entire image works for me as presented. Really nice.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on September 7, 2010 at 5:33 PM

Comp works well.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 7, 2010 at 7:10 PM

Excellent Brian! Love the detail on this little bird.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 7, 2010 at 7:50 PM

Sweet One Brian!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 7, 2010 at 11:04 PM

Brian,
I like the comp as presented but....if you have more pixels to pull from on the left I would try adding a little canvas to the left side and a touch to the bottom. Nice sharpness, and the exposure is well done. You could have easily blown those whites out. Background is very pleasing and isolates the subject nicely. These are common but hard to get good images of. Very nicely done Brian.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on September 8, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Gorgeous shot! The light is beautiful and the sharp details are amazing. Awesome!

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on September 8, 2010 at 2:45 PM

The comp and everything else in the photo works for me. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 8, 2010 at 6:47 PM

Looks perfect to me too