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Red Pens
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Red Pens

by Howard Cheek

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted December 23, 2014157 views12 comments
The Cedar Waxwing with its 'Red Pens' on display.
Sometimes very difficult to get the BG you would like, but here I got lucky:smile:
F/6.3, 1/500th, ISO 640, 1D M3, 300mm f/2.8 + 1.4x ext & overcast at 11:21am. Shot in a vertical orientation.

Comments

12 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on December 23, 2014 at 10:03 AM
I like the perch you caught this waxwing on as well as the colors. I do think you could tighten it up a bit. The BG works well. Nicely taken. Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on December 23, 2014 at 10:27 AM
A terrific portrait of one of my favorite birds, Howard. The birds are so subtly beautiful and the red pens are a great catch. The framing and background complement the clear look at the bird very well.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 23, 2014 at 12:37 PM
Love those waxy tips and the muted tones of the background. Yellow on the tail looks a touch hot - but the monitor at work is not very good.
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Cross on December 23, 2014 at 3:28 PM
One of my favorite birds. I just love the smooth feathery coat with so little detail . Just like it was made of some solid material. You really captured this really well both for detail and colors. A nice perch and a cooperative bird certainly helped to. And the BG is great. Well done.
Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments
Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on December 23, 2014 at 3:43 PM
The delicate detail on the feathers is really beautiful and I agree that the background works very well! :toast:
Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on December 23, 2014 at 4:35 PM
Beautiful, Howard. Terrific perch and a very nice, complementary bg. :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on December 24, 2014 at 12:28 AM
An elegant photo of an elegant bird. :toast:
Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on December 24, 2014 at 9:49 AM
Howard, this has got to be at the top of your list with avian photos. This is truly beautiful. The colors are a real draw, but the textures in the feathers are just as impressive.
A tip of the hat here on this wonderful image and I hope you see as many opportunities leading into a new full upcoming year of 2015. :toast:
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 24, 2014 at 12:35 PM
Hi Howard :wavey: Luck only happens to diligent photographers... like you :smile: :smile: :wink: i still remember this unforgetful image.. perfect in every aspect :toast:


Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on December 25, 2014 at 3:15 PM
Howard--no nits here. The dark portions of the background help bring out the subtle colors of the plumage. :toast: ................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by Carol Nichols on January 2, 2015 at 1:08 PM
That is an exceptional background Howard, but also a beautiful bird photographed to perfection!
Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments
Comment posted by Doug Koepsel on January 4, 2015 at 11:10 AM
The bottom background color is a nice match to the waxwing's head, almost making it like a counterpoint. Feather detail in the full file must be very nice.
Registered on April 1, 2010, 196 Posts, 1592 Comments