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White-throated Sparrow
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White-throated Sparrow

by Matt Shellenberg

Gallery: AvianPosted October 20, 2010148 views8 comments
Zonotrichia albicollis

It is great to see the White-throated sparrows return for winter. Probably my favorite sparrow. I had a tough time deciding how to compose this, I am very interested in your thoughts.

7D, 500mm f4L IS + 1.4 tc
1/640, f9.0, ISO 200


All comments and critique appreciated.
Thank You.

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 21, 2010 at 2:37 PM
Gorgeous look at this sparrow showing off the ID features. Sharpness looks good (could use more on the breast) and I like the perch. BG has nice colors, but may be a little distracting.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by David E Lester on October 21, 2010 at 4:52 PM
Nice shot..
Registered on March 24, 2010, 155 Posts, 793 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on October 21, 2010 at 5:33 PM
Matt
Great shot on the bird. I find the BG distracting only because it is almost like an explosion the way the leaves are positioned with the sky.That being said I would be proud of this image.

Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 21, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Like the comp Matt - nice little head turn also

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Strand on October 22, 2010 at 6:42 AM
Matt, I totally agree with Luke O's comments. I think the composition you decided is really the best and love the birds markings as he and you presented them. Very nicely done!
Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 22, 2010 at 3:35 PM
Nice detail on the sparrow, and nice pose on the branch.

THe BG leaves are a bit distracting because they look like a burst or something; tightening up the crop a bit and taking away some of the open blue on the edges of the frame reduces that effect for me.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on October 22, 2010 at 9:03 PM
One of my favorite sparrows too. They just arrived here, so I hope I can get some shots. I think the comp is appropriate given the head turn - he's looking into the frame. However, it feels just a tad 'left heavy' to me. Maybe if you crop about 15% off the right and then 5% off the left just to keep from looking centered. That's nit picky - I like it as is. :toast:
Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 22, 2010 at 9:31 PM
Great detail, colors, and use of the light Matt.
I think this framing works very well :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments