Red Breasted Nuthatch

Gallery: AvianPosted October 24, 201094 views11 comments

This is actually a new species for me to photograph. The white-breasted are a little more common and it's hard to get them in a good pose without a lot of clutter so I was quite pleased with this bird came to investigate me on Saturday morning at Jones Beach just as the sun was rising. I would of course like a smoother BG but I think there is a good amount of separation so it's not too distracting. As for it being centered, I have no more room on the right and the right was cropped a bit to remove a big knob in the branch. I really happy with the sharpness given I had HH this.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH
f/86.7
1/250s
ISO 800

Minimal cropping, sharpened subject, noise reduction on BG

- Luke

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 24, 2010 at 6:35 PM

This is nice for a nuthatch shot not taken at a feeder or setup. I'd be very happy with it as is.

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

Comment posted by Michele Williams on October 24, 2010 at 6:46 PM

I agree that it works as is. The composition and sharpness are very nice.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 28 Posts, 146 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 24, 2010 at 7:07 PM

Light doesn't get much warmer than this Luke and sharpness looks very good for 1/250 HH. I'm fine with the background - it's OOF enough and nothing there is too bright. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 24, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Hi Luke. The perch is slightly dominant, but for a new species capture very good, especially with the sweet light. Good job capturing him right side up with a nice head turn and catchlight.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on October 24, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Nice image. Beautiful light, great comp. and BG.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 24, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Bird name well deserved. Truely a red breast.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on October 25, 2010 at 4:08 AM

Nice light and good eye contact Luke.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 25, 2010 at 5:26 AM

Well done Luke. BG is fine IMO. Love the warm light and nice sharpness.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 25, 2010 at 6:27 AM

Nice one Luke - really like the early morning 'feel' of this

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Axel Hildebrandt on October 26, 2010 at 3:34 PM

Great find and the light makes it special.

Registered on October 16, 2006, 66 Posts, 441 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 27, 2010 at 10:44 AM

Luke,

I think you did very well to get this species this much out in the open, all of my shots of this species have been with them partially hidden. As for the background, it looks fine to me and is visually appealing because of the varying colors it has and how well those colors compliment the nuthatch. Beautiful pose, light and profile of the bill. Since this was minimally cropped I might consider cropping a small amount from the right and from the bottom to just below that interesting knot on the branch to move the bird ever so slightly off center. I would be very happy to have this in my files

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