Verdin

Gallery: AvianPosted April 17, 2016363 views12 comments

Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)

Place: Water Ranch, Gilbert, AZ
Date: April 11, 2016, 2:48 pm
Equipment: Nikon D7200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 800, aperture priority spot metered, 1/200th @ f/16
Not baited, taped or set-up
Raw, PS CC 2015 on Mac, 54% of frame

A common bird in AZ, but a difficult subject as they are small and hyperactive. Taken on a rare afternoon visit to the Water Ranch when I was chasing a reported rarity there.

I don’t believe that all bird photos should be tightly framed and brightly colored; I like these understated images with color harmony and appropriate habitat.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger version provided as usual.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 17, 2016 at 2:08 PM

Excellent detail on the subject, Richard. The shade from the Acacia tree really helped in the bright afternoon light, as well as providing a peasant perch and framing. Top notch! devil

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 17, 2016 at 7:13 PM

Sweet, Richard. I love the slightly soft leaves and the far bg green wash-they set off the Verdin very well. The nicely sharp catkin is a nice additional habitat touch clearly defining the season.

devil

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 18, 2016 at 11:15 AM

Nice color palette and having the Verdin in the shade made the shot possible. I like the comp and the progression from shade to birghter area in the direction the bird is looking. And, of course, congratulations on finding a Verdin that was holding still, however briefly.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 18, 2016 at 2:22 PM

Very nicely composed Rich, good detail and lovely background. Shade to sunlight transition worked well here.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on April 18, 2016 at 6:27 PM

Very pleasing image Richard. Love the elements of included habitat and the background. I think f16 was a very good choice here, a setting too little used in bird photography. The verdin appears to be enjoying a relaxing afternoon in the shade.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 18, 2016 at 8:12 PM

I think f16 was a very good choice here, a setting too little used in bird photography.

I agree that f/16 woeked well in this situation, But you give me undue credit as the f/16 setting was accidental. I almost always shoot the 300 and 2x at f/8 to keep my shutter speed up, or even wide open at f/5.6 when I'm in darker conditions. The f/16 was a holdover from the Mourning Doves in the rain taken in my back yard where I really needed DOF and the subjects were stationary.

I lucked out at f/16 and 1/200th second. The Verdin was inactive just long enough for a few frames, and at least one of those frames wasn't blurred by subject or camera motion.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 18, 2016 at 8:33 PM

I like this as posted Richard. I like how the stems on both sides frame the bird nicely. BTW, I was lucky enough to see one in Arizona last week and was even luckier to manage a couple quick shots as he only stayed for a whole 2-3 seconds (like you mention in your post...hyperactive).

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 19, 2016 at 10:45 AM

Really nice frame. The environment with the tree and leaves adds so much to this image. Nicely captured.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on April 22, 2016 at 8:31 PM

Really nice, Richard! I appreciate the natural tones and feel to this as well. Love the "canopy."

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on April 24, 2016 at 12:05 PM

Lovely shot and setting Richard, and I fully appreciate your decision to place the bird small in the frame, that really adds a lot ! Congrats on a very pleasant image ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 29, 2016 at 5:45 PM

Great catch of this little fellow. Nice pose, true colours, and tack-sharp as usual. Mixed feelings about the bit of orange furry stuff just below the bird, but I certainly respect your stance on not cloning out anything.
Congrats on the EP!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on July 20, 2016 at 1:02 AM

Absolutely love the inclusion of the surrounding habitat. The colours in the bird are really cool! Congrats on a well deserved EP.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments