Waiting Her Turn + rpst

Gallery: AvianPosted March 4, 2014266 views11 comments

During yesterday's snow storm, I spent some time sitting under my deck taking photos of the birds coming to eat at my bird feeder. The activity was fast and furious, but my visible presence kept the large flock of "black" birds (Grackles, Starlings, and Red-wing Blackbirds) from dominating, since the local birds are somewhat familiar with me. Even with a moderate level of familiarity they won't let me get within frame filling distance, so this image is cropped to 75% of full frame. (5D3, 400mm f5.6 + 1.4TE, f/10, 1/800s, iso 800, tripod)

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on March 4, 2014 at 11:02 AM

I am from western Maryland and the picture makes feel glad to be in Florida . The picture really tells the story of the weather all fluffed up. Great detail and color.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 4, 2014 at 11:30 AM

Love the mood of this image. The falling snow is a big plus. I do wish the eye was a little more visible and engaging. Perhaps some selective lighteneing would help.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 4, 2014 at 11:32 AM

Nice mood in the image with the snow falling. Perch, pose and composition are very pleasing. As noted, the eye is very dark and for me is a huge hindrance to the image. This is another frame where fill flash would have solved the issue and created a much stronger image.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 4, 2014 at 12:17 PM

Great atmosphere captured ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 4, 2014 at 12:30 PM

Nice comp and fluffed up pose and falling snow almost always enhances a picture IMO. Agree the eye could be lighter.

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

Comment posted by John Tobias on March 4, 2014 at 12:52 PM

Good one Mark

A bit of fill flash would have helped the dark eye. Nice job of getting her clear of all the small twigs, something I have struggled with. Does say winter! Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on March 4, 2014 at 3:20 PM

I like it a lot Mark. The tone seems to fit the mood. I would try to open the face up just a bit more, but that is the only change I would make. Well done.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 4, 2014 at 4:52 PM

Some of the darkness around her eye is compression. While still dark, I can clearly see details in her eye on my monitor. Both posted versions are noticeably darker around the eyes. Here's a version with significant dodging around her eye.

I'm fascinated with how subtle the changes look in the posted version, they're pretty strong on my calibrated monitor.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 5, 2014 at 12:16 AM

Mark,
I'm getting a chill just looking at this. Love the fluffed up feathers in this shot and the snow falling in the background. There is just enough snow build up on the perch to make it more interesting as well. Love the colors in the bird. Neat shot Mark.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 5, 2014 at 1:32 PM

A beautiful composition, Mark, and I like the quality of the light in the image. I see you reposted it with more light on the face. Personally, I prefer the original, though you could brighten just the eye so it is visible (not the surrounding feathers).

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

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on March 6, 2014 at 12:32 AM

Hey Mark,
This scene is way Cool and very well Composed,
I too vote for the original post as the overall winter mood of the image seems to be stronger.
Well Done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments