Horned Lark - female

Gallery: AvianPosted February 18, 2011136 views14 comments

An image I was happy to get despite the OOF stem coming out of her back and the slightly bright background rock. Females of this species also have "horns" but they are much less conspicuous than those of the male and rarely erected. This is the first time I've been able to see/photograph the horn of the female.

7D, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 2/13/11, cropped to 64% of original image, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Very fine capture, Ron: in addition to the rare "horn visible" view of this bird you have great detail and color. This is a case where a little additional post processing could make a large difference in the general appearance of the image though: decreasing exposure on the rock at least and maybe even trying to de-emphasize the stem coming from her back. To me it seems a pity not to do it. However, each to his (or her) own preferences!

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 18, 2011 at 11:43 AM

Excellent. Very nice detail. I don't mind the setting at all.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 18, 2011 at 12:41 PM

Excellent image of a Horned Lark. Around here these guys seem so spooky I have a hard time getting close enough to get a decent image. The habitat fits the Lark perfectly.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 18, 2011 at 4:04 PM

Impeccable, Ron. I see that Mia has taught you the belly crawl.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 18, 2011 at 5:25 PM

Wonderful feather detail on the larger version and it looks like it even has something in it's beak. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 18, 2011 at 6:02 PM

Lovely detail and light Ron

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 18, 2011 at 6:22 PM

Excellent catch, Ron. I like how the bird, rich of very fine details, fulfils the frame and imposes his presence with no distractions.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 18, 2011 at 6:29 PM

great details, and neat to see the horn, Ron. nice colors too. I might try reducing the exposure on those grass stems coming out of the back and the nape, but they're not that big a deal.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 18, 2011 at 8:54 PM

Nice lark and habitat. Excellent detail, especially its tongue, and I like the head-turn too.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 19, 2011 at 8:25 AM

Ron, this is excellent as usual. The setting is great. Rock is not bright at all on my monitor. The bird is tack and I love the open beak with look at the tongue and a seed I believe. Great low angles brings me right into the image. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Craig Strand on February 19, 2011 at 8:36 AM

I love the ground level viewpoint. Excellent job capturing the lark and her gorgeous markings!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 19, 2011 at 6:51 PM

Some lovely detail in the bird Ron

Well captured.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 19, 2011 at 11:56 PM

I really like the natural setting and soft lighting Ron. Nice look at this female. A wonderful species that is in decline due to agricultural practices apparently.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 20, 2011 at 6:49 PM

Beautiful bird Ron, fine details..
I see the verdict is still out on the clone or not to clone issue

Very nice any way ya slice it though

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