White-crowned Sparrow

Gallery: AvianPosted October 13, 2013124 views6 comments

White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: October 11, 2013, 7:47 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 plus TC20E III (2x), Gitzo 1325, RRS BH55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/500th @ f/8
Raw on Mac, PSCS3, 64% of frame
Not baited, not set up, no cloning, no noise reduction

The temperatures are finally tolerable here in Phoenix and I’m finally getting back out to shoot. White-crowned Sparrow is a common species here in winter, and I was happy to see my first-of-season bird on Friday.

I’ve never believed that a subject has to be big in the frame as long as the setting is attractive, nor do I think a subject has to “pop” out of the image. I call this style my “quiet” images.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on October 14, 2013 at 7:58 AM

A nice overall image. I do believe the shawdows across the bird detract a bit. Also, the bright background just behind the bird draws my attention away.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 14, 2013 at 10:27 AM

I find this to be a very soothing image. The pensive pose of the sparrow, the soft light, the perch and background all come together to provide a nice story.
The shadows don't bother me a bit on this image. They add to the sense of place, and the light that was present.

Nicely captured.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 14, 2013 at 1:20 PM

I love the way the shadows work in this image, Richard. Excellent work.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on October 15, 2013 at 4:16 PM

This photo has a nice "feel" to it. I like the birds pose and the diagonal of the branch. Also like the warm light and the colors of the photo. The shadows do not bother me a bit.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 16, 2013 at 12:44 PM

"I’ve never believed that a subject has to be big in the frame as long as the setting is attractive, nor do I think a subject has to “pop” out of the image. I call this style my “quiet” images."
I agree. The setting is attractive and provides for a balanced harmonious comp.
And the style is simple and "quiet" as you say.
It invites one to look a little deeper, past the shadows..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on October 16, 2013 at 8:11 PM

In the larger version you can really see how intimate this image is, and you can see the beauty of the colors and light.

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