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Black-capped Chickadee
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Black-capped Chickadee

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: AvianPosted December 8, 2017236 views21 comments
I went back out to the blind this morning and we actually had some sun, though not on the subject in this case.  I'd put up this perch with some peanut butter on the back of the cones a few days ago hoping to get a Chestnut-backed Chickadee hanging from the cones as they are wont to do.  It hasn't happened yet, but I did get a couple of series of these guys on top on their way to the sunflower feeder.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 252 mm, Jobu Gimbal on blind window, f/8, 1/800, iso 2000, aperture priority, pattern metering, -1/3 EV, no flash.  Processed in LR & PS CC.  In this case I used Neatimage for noise reduction in PS rather than going to DxO in RAW.  It seems to work just about the same in terms of quality.  I had to add a touch of canvas on the left and bottom and I cropped a bit off the top and right to frame the perch the way I wanted.  Final size was `18 MP.  Taken at 8:54 am this morning.

Your comments and critiques are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

21 comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 8, 2017 at 4:32 PM
This is great - even if it is a second choice to hanging from the cones! 
Sweet, sharp bird, bright eye, nice greens and a perfect BG. You might consider moving the whole frame down a little so less room on the bottom and more on top - a personal choice only. 
Love it!
Sandy 
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on December 8, 2017 at 4:47 PM
Beautiful shot, Dennis.  The background just compliments the scene, and the bird on the twig with the cones is such a nice natural look.  Very nice. 
Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 8, 2017 at 5:27 PM
Very nicely composed Dennis, the big cones give a feel for how small this species is. devil
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Sandor on December 8, 2017 at 5:46 PM
Dennis: excellent in all aspects and it looks like it could be the standard for identifying this species. It deserves a prominent spot on your wall. Richard
Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Murphy on December 8, 2017 at 6:22 PM
Very nicely done Dennis. The chickadee and pine cones have a real holiday feel. Definitely a keeper.
Brian
Registered on November 15, 2015, 35 Posts, 50 Comments
Comment posted by Andrew Sentipal on December 8, 2017 at 8:55 PM
Really fine image. Background colors compliment the bird and branch. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

Andrew
Registered on February 16, 2008, 200 Posts, 317 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 8, 2017 at 9:59 PM
Dennis, I just love the comp on this one and wouldn't change a thing. I think this would make a VERY nice print for someone. Hope you sell a bundle of them! 
Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Gavin on December 9, 2017 at 1:37 AM
One of the best images of a chickadee I have seen here or elsewhere. Dang, This is great.
Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 9, 2017 at 4:30 AM
Awesome portrait of this little cutie Dennis. A very pleasing composition!

A Beauty laugh
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Williams on December 9, 2017 at 8:24 AM
This is a classic Dennis. Like a Christmas card almost a painting. Love the cones, the perch, the chickadee and the BG. 
Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 9, 2017 at 9:16 AM
 The position of the bird atop the three cones, the smooth creamy  background, and the lovely early light makes this a very compelling image-not too late to offer this up as your holiday card! Wonderfully composed Dennis.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on December 9, 2017 at 12:03 PM
A beautiful composition, Dennis. The subtle lighting is awesome. Great job!!
Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments
Comment posted by David Bogener on December 9, 2017 at 12:50 PM
Nice setup with excellent DOF control to get the entire Douglas fir perch in focus.  Beautiful creamy background.
Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 9, 2017 at 2:57 PM
Fine image, Dennis. The perch is delightful. This would make a good Christmas card.
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on December 10, 2017 at 1:58 PM
Very nicely composed Dennis.  Excellent set up.  Needs to be seen large to bring out the eye detail best.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Moreau on December 11, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Dennis, this is really nice. I like the inclusion of the pine cones, they add a lot to the image. I would probably clone that single pine needle by the right edge, but that's personal preference.
Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Thompson on December 12, 2017 at 11:49 AM
Outstanding Dennis! 
Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on December 13, 2017 at 5:00 AM
Fantastic as is Dennis.  I wouldn't change anything.
Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on December 14, 2017 at 9:15 AM
All I can say is that this is a very fine image, one I would be happy to have in my files.  Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on December 16, 2017 at 10:44 AM
First thought: "Greeting card!"  This is great.  Though I understand at least one of the comments about adjusting the position of the bird in the frame, I think your choice to preserve the full set of needles (by not cropping them off) works well.  Looks great as-is.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Kathy Snead on December 18, 2017 at 6:39 PM
Gorgeous photo of this bird Dennis.  
Registered on April 6, 2017, 104 Posts, 397 Comments