Waxwing

Gallery: AvianPosted December 12, 2012438 views15 comments

You birders have a "Life List". I have a "Nemesis List" - and cedar waxwings have been on it for a long time. Lots of shots over the last few years, but not one decent one.

A bit of luck today, and I'm expecting more since billions of berries are just becoming ripe now.

D800
500mm
Subject dist: 9.4m
1/160 sec, f/6.3
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
Exp comp: +1/3
ISO: 400
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on December 13, 2012 at 12:46 AM

Looks like you finally conquered your nemesis. This is a real beauty. The detail in the bird looks great and the pose with the berry is a nice touch. If I had a small nit it would be the brown background behind the head.
Congrats on a fine photo.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Turner on December 13, 2012 at 7:56 AM

Mine is a Belted Kingfisher and yours has been successfully captured

Very well done Sandy

Registered on February 18, 2012, 534 Posts, 2755 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on December 13, 2012 at 9:12 AM

Congratulations on capturing a stunning image of a waxwing. I stood out at my cherry tree last summer for days and only caught a crow with the berry. A great Chrismas present!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on December 13, 2012 at 1:49 PM

It is always a great feeling to finally get a great shot of a bird that has eluded you forever. This is a great shot, berry in the mouth, sitting on a nice bunch of berries. Very Nice.
May

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 13, 2012 at 2:25 PM

A very fine shot. Nice setting and BG and I like the way the bird is holding the berry in it's beak. I might try and lighten the right side of the bird a little bit more.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 13, 2012 at 6:20 PM

Congrats on the nemesis victory, Sandy. Attractive setting, I like the light on the bird and you got nice detail on a species that doesn't often show much. A lovely image.

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on December 13, 2012 at 9:07 PM

This is a classic beauty Sandy, love everything about it

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on December 13, 2012 at 9:23 PM

Beautiful Sandy. I like how he is sitting on a big bunch of berries and vegetation, yet not obstructed from view. You have also captured some feather detail, hard to do on these guys. Well done.

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on December 14, 2012 at 8:22 AM

In the UK we call them bogey birds, Sandy, but it amounts to the same thing. Victories are usually hard to win, so many congratulations on knocking one of the list.

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on December 14, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Better than any I've ever managed with this species. Good job Sandy on a classic pose.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 14, 2012 at 1:01 PM

Great image, Sandy. Congrats on crossing off one more on your nemesis list! All the elements in the image are top notch. I find the bright green oof leaf in the background somewhat distracting.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 14, 2012 at 2:50 PM

Really nice comp Sandy. Love the berry in the beak for sure.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 14, 2012 at 8:04 PM

Simply stunning!

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 17, 2012 at 9:45 PM

Wonderful catch Sandy!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Roberts on December 17, 2012 at 11:06 PM

I'd say you've overcome, Sandy. Great pose, technicals nailed, what's not to be proud of on this one. Nice job.

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