Female W. Bluebird

Gallery: AvianPosted June 1, 2017198 views11 comments

Another one from a foggy early morning. As I mentioned in my last post, the Bluebirds only seemed to be around when there was fog and minimal light. As things brightened up they went elsewhere to forage. I like the very even light from the fog for the way it allows one to see the subtle variations in color unaffected by shadowing.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 421 mm, hand held, f/7.1, 1/320, iso 1250, aperture priority, pattern metering, +1/3 EV. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped from a horizontal original to a 9 MP 6x7 vertical. Levels adjustment on the bird to defog it. Taken at 5:46 AM on May 28th.

Comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on June 1, 2017 at 8:43 PM

I think that foggy background really works well with the subtle colors of this female, Dennis. Really nice detail in the Bluebird and a great perch. A beautiful image!!!!!

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Jones on June 1, 2017 at 9:18 PM

This really inspires me to get out in the fog more (even though the last time I did that, I got a bunch of pictures of wet chickadees). The background and lighting could not be better for this bird if it flew into your portrait studio. Good job processing the bird to cut through the fog.

Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on June 1, 2017 at 10:45 PM

The secret is out; the PNW fog allows magnificent images and this is one of those. Sweet.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on June 1, 2017 at 11:46 PM

Very nice, Dennis. You're right that the gray background really makes the colors stand out. The large version is particularly nice. You got lots of detail, even with the significant crop!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Moreau on June 2, 2017 at 10:04 AM

Dennis, this is fantastic! I love the gradient of light to dark in the background, and the details in the bird from the diffuse light. I might like a little bit more on the bottom, but I feel that's really reaching for something to critique.

Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on June 2, 2017 at 2:12 PM

The subtleties in the lighting here are very well done. The fog really helped you out here and really softened up some of the tones nicely. I like the perch and the pose. Excellent image. These birds do not show up in my neighborhood.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 3, 2017 at 1:17 AM

This is such a clean, pleasant photo Dennis. Nice look and pose and perch from the BB, against a great neutral, almost chilly BG. Looks great.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on June 3, 2017 at 9:13 AM

The best light is no light - proven again with this shot. Due to the fog you had some very nice light to work with (at least in my humble opinion) and the colors and plumage of the bird are spot on ! Love it devil

!!! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 4, 2017 at 7:36 AM

Hi Dennis,

Very nice--everything is subtle except for the details. You expertly handled the foggy conditions and I like this one a lot devil

.....................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 4, 2017 at 1:07 PM

Very nice perch and good job exposing this against the bright background Dennis devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on June 6, 2017 at 11:58 AM

Beautiful portrait of this Bluebird, Dennis. I like the foggy background too. You handled the low light well. It is the early photographer that gets the shot, while the early bird is out to get the worm! cool

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments