Abert's Towhee

Gallery: AvianPosted February 26, 2012117 views9 comments

Abert’s Towhee (Pipilo aberti)

Place: Gilbert Riparian Preserve, AZ
Date: February 2, 2012
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/640th @ f8, ISO 400, natural light no fill
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 82% of frame

It’s been two years since I posted an Abert’s Towhee; a local specialty tied to the Lower Colorado River drainage.

Taken 10 minutes after this White-crowned Sparrow I posted recently.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the larger image before commenting.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 26, 2012 at 1:59 PM

Richard, nice detail, and I like the diagonal grass, setting up the bird for a OOF Bg for most of the bird. I could wish for a darker BG, as it doesn't do enough to bring out the bird. It does look better in the large image.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on February 26, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Like the tones in this one. The bird is a bit big in the frame for me.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM

I like the comp choice here Rich, there's nice detail with a good look at the bird.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 27, 2012 at 11:11 PM

Wow. I've never seen an Abert's this tight. Mine are all tiny dots. Shows all the field marks to advantage, too. Very nice.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 28, 2012 at 12:52 PM

Nice subdued color pallette, good light, good catchlight and great feather detail. Nicely done.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 28, 2012 at 2:32 PM

Nice catch of (another) bird I've never seen..
Like the habitat and pose -
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 28, 2012 at 7:15 PM

Richard,
Have never seen this bird. Superb detail in the larger version. I love when I can see all of the little bumps around the eye. Two very small suggestions...Maybe clone out the twig that is protruding into the belly of the bird and if you have more room on both the top and the bottom of the canvas you might add a smidge to both. Looks a little bit tight.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM

I also have never seen one of these towhee's but I am not sure if they are down around Tucson area. I like this as posted with the larger image showing some very nice feather detail plus I like the angle of light, nice job in getting this shot Rich.

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

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on February 29, 2012 at 9:52 PM

This is a species that has skunked me so far, no photos. When I have seen them, they were pretty wary. Would be very happy to have this one, light is nice, some of the bright spots in the bg are kind of distracting.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments