Black-billed Magpie
by Ron Dudley
This is one of a mated pair of magpies that I've been following at their nest site for three years now. The nest is buried in the sagebush perch the bird is taking off from.
7D, 1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, shot from pickup window on 4/1/11, cropped to 73% of original image then added a strip of canvas on right for composition, global adjustments in ACR, sharpened bird and perch, cloned out 3 tiny twig tips coming into frame at left, natural light, not baited set up or called in
Larger version provided
Comments/critique appreciated
Comments
25 commentsRay
This reminds me of one of Mia's shots a year or so ago that won a weekly pick. This is just as good or better. You did astoundingly well with the exposure considering you were dealing with blacks and whites. Superb wing position, great detail and a nice head turn towards you makes this just about as good as it gets.
Ken Archer
SWEET.... We do Not have these birds in Eastern Canada regularly but have been to Alberta recently over last few years & have really enjoyed watching them, with a thought to sometime attempt to capture their Image. This is as Good as it gets .
So many pleasing parts of this image makes it Very Special. Beautiful head turn & catch light, Full display of the Wings, Detail & Beautiful Tail Feathers, My preference is How you have captured the Wings especially. The Slight Wing movement in Wing Tips gives it Dynamic effect & totally makes the image.
Very Beautiful Capture.
TFS
Bill
This is simply beautiful. What a gift to get to see this special bird up close and personal. Your exposure, as usual, is perfect. we get to see this birds wonderful colors, because of your exposure skills.
Thanks My Friend
Great job on adding the canvas front, a fact of life shooting the smaller birds inflight.
I especially like the POV and metallic colors here.
May
Albert Darmo
Canada