Black-Capped Chickadee

Gallery: AvianPosted May 3, 2011173 views9 comments

Another image taken the evening of April 21st. On reviewing my images from that night, it turned out that everything happened in about five minutes. Three cooperative birds. The rest of the evening was just waiting.

This branch was a bit closer to me than the one used by the Chestnut Backed Chickadee and the Chipping Sparrow I posted a while back. I like the light and the framing in this one.

1D MkIV, 500mm f4 + 1.4TC, Black Widow on Gitzo legs, f9, 1/500, iso 500, Av mode with -1/3 compensation. Cropped from 16 to 6.5MP. Normal processing in CS4.

I always appreciate your comments and criticisms,

Thanks for looking.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 4, 2011 at 12:30 AM

I have similar experiences, nothing for hours then a "gift" bird shows up and brightens your spirits and renews your faith in your hobby. The perch branch runs at a nice diagonal and the needles add some needed color contrast. If possible I might look at adding a little more back to the bottom for comp and to show off more of the needles. The light is a bit contrasty, making for a difficult exposure on the blacks and whites on the Chicadee; part of the white on the head is a little bit hot, but not bad. Tough bird to capture and expose usually. A pleasing photo over all!

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

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on May 4, 2011 at 12:50 AM

Nice comp and sitting on the evergreen branch really works for this little guy.

Registered on March 9, 2011, 69 Posts, 501 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on May 4, 2011 at 5:12 AM

I think this is my favourite of the three Chickadees I've seen you post so far Dennis :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 4, 2011 at 6:26 AM

Nice details and DOF, like that catchlight too Dennis. I've found that late afternoon light can be the most tricky..
It can either make or brake an image..The pine needles are a great perch and frame the bird well IMO.
Great shot

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

Comment posted by Darren Colello on May 4, 2011 at 1:14 PM

Terrific perch and setting for this chickadee. Excellent work Dennis!!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Reitz on May 4, 2011 at 5:03 PM

You really have a nice one here, Dennis I have found it difficult to get these guys to sit still long enough to get a great shot, even when hand holding, and you managed to get it with a tripod. I think the bright background right around the bird works quite well here, another difficult situation to pull off. All technical aspects are spot on. Very nicely done.

Registered on September 7, 2007, 32 Posts, 335 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 4, 2011 at 8:29 PM

Nice job on a tricky exposure, I like the lighting here Dennis. I'd consider adding a little more room on the bottom.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 4, 2011 at 11:18 PM

Another very nice Chickadee shot Dennis...do you have them trained or something?

Love the details and the bright BG makes him stand out more. Good job on the exposure as well.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 4, 2011 at 11:54 PM

beautiful, Dennis. love it how things can come together for those brief moments. light here was great, so having a series of cooperative subjects makes for a nice evening. love the light and setting. I agree with Nate that a little more on the bottom would be nice but I also wouldn't want to give up more of those nice needles on top, so maybe adding a bit on bottom and right would work.

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