Phainopepla

Gallery: AvianPosted December 28, 2011216 views11 comments

Another photo from our Christmas Bird Count. A common desert bird in Anza Borrego. Lately I've been trying to frame birds with a little space around them.

D700
500mm vr
1.4x
1/250
f8
iso 500

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on December 28, 2011 at 8:02 AM

Nice sharp image. I believe the larger image shows the bird the best. I like the fact the eye is sharp! I do wish there was not a branch coming right of its head in the BG. But, sometimes you can not do much about those things. Thanks for sharing.

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

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on December 28, 2011 at 8:13 AM

Charlie I like this shot and I like as John said a bigger image
But I prefer an image with a little space and habitat in it.
Happy new year and sucsesfull birding

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 28, 2011 at 9:19 AM

I have never seen this bird before. Looks like a black cardinal! Good details in the blacks and I like that red eye. Personally I might prefer a little tighter crop. The BG is busy but it is not a problem for me. This is its environment and nothing you could do about it anyway.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 28, 2011 at 9:55 AM

Charlie- a really nice capture of this neat bird in habitat. Good detail of the eye and the raised crest adds a flare of drama.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 28, 2011 at 9:58 AM

I don't think I have ever seen this species either Charlie. I really like how he stands out with all the surrounding habitat. I think this shot really shows that not every shot needs to have some perfect surroundings and empty clean BG to be considered a success. nice work! I also like tighter crops a lot of the time, but I think this approach works fine as well.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Another familiar friend - I quite like the "new" style.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 28, 2011 at 3:05 PM

A super cool bird in nice habitat, although the branches seem a bit thick I like the clean view of the bird. Sweet Photo Charlie!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on December 28, 2011 at 3:24 PM

Charlie, I have been trying get a quality image of one of these fellows which has turned out to be as hard as it is to pronounce their name. I like the composition which shows the environment the bird is in and you captured the detail in the blacks and also the red eye. Great job as usual.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 28, 2011 at 6:41 PM

Nicely done Charlie. Perfect light and exposure on the subject and you got the bird mostly clear even with all the twigs and branches. Love that eye.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 28, 2011 at 8:11 PM

I like the stark contrast between bird and background. The red eye is crystal clear. I'd crop in a bit to display the detail more (which is also great already) and maybe decenter the bird.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 29, 2011 at 1:27 PM

Lovely detail in the blacks here Charlie, I like the habitat included but would crop a little more from the top. Aren´t you supposed to be counting birds rather than spending your time photographing them on cbc´s

I hope you and Kirsten had a Merry Christmas

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