Abert's Towhee

Gallery: AvianPosted March 30, 2012109 views12 comments

Abert's Towhee (Pipilo aberti)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: February 2, 2012, 8:57 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/500th @ f8, ISO 400, natural light no fill
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, full frame
Not baited, not set up, no cloning

Taken during the same productive session as this Abert's Towhee and this White-crowned Sparrow posted previously. Tighter than I normally shoot but once in position I couldn't back up when the towhee landed close by.

I like the way the towhee blends into the colors of its preferred habitat, so if you'd rather see more "pop" then you'll need to look elsewhere for it. There are more backgrounds to pick from in the Abert's Towhee gallery on my web site.

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

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 30, 2012 at 8:10 PM

Awesome look at a bird I have never seen Rich. I like it as posted.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 30, 2012 at 10:17 PM

It's really amazing how you get so close in natural circumstances without setups. Beautiful detail.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 30, 2012 at 11:40 PM

Love rear-views, and this is excellent. Perfect head-turn over the shoulder. In it's usual habitat -
well-done!

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 31, 2012 at 12:58 AM

Excellent habitat shot Rich, and the techs are, as usual, superb.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 31, 2012 at 2:26 AM

Neat bird, Rich. While I see these birds in AZ, still no photos. The shape of the wings makes me think this is a juvenile.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 31, 2012 at 9:28 AM

Excellent detail in this Towhee, Richard. A species I would really like to see. As you mention, a bit tight, but a great look at this beauty.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 31, 2012 at 3:04 PM

Sweet image, Richard. Excellent pose and detail and I like the bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on March 31, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Nice detail and pose. The diagonal lines in the brush and the bird make for a nice comp. The background is a little busy but not overly so.

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on April 1, 2012 at 5:11 AM

Nice head-turn and sharp too; and well done getting a full-frame shot in natural habitat - I recall towhees as being skulkers when I saw them a while back in Arizona.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on April 1, 2012 at 4:10 PM

Very nice Richard. Love the nice over the shoulder look.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 2, 2012 at 1:29 PM

Nice job in getting this, after seeing your images posted here I started to notice them at Sweetwater but still no good shots for me either, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 2, 2012 at 11:06 PM

I really like the dof choice here Richard, gives some nice detail in the woods as well as the bird. Nice range of brown tones, earthy!

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