Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Western Tanager
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Western Tanager

by Bob Steele

Gallery: AvianPosted April 26, 20069,190 views59 comments
One more teaser for Garth... still 5 days 'till he gets here. :biggrin:

1D MkIIN, 500mm f4 IS, 1.4X, ISO 320, evaluative (@0), 1/125, f11, light overcast afternoon light.

P.S. Yes, I got a new camera. This is my peak season right now when I shoot virtually every day for my stock files. I can't be without a high performance camera body while waiting for Canon service.

Comments

59 comments
Comment posted by Garth McElroy on April 26, 2006 at 12:41 PM
You're not helping my anticipation any!!! :biggrin: Sweet stuff, can't wait!!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments
Comment posted by Mack Barham on April 26, 2006 at 12:44 PM
Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird! I hope to see one live some day! :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zipp on April 26, 2006 at 12:50 PM
Geeze Bob, you're killing me! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments
Comment posted by Marius Nistor on April 26, 2006 at 12:58 PM
There are no words to express the beauty of this photo. :eek:
Registered on February 4, 2006, 38 Posts, 551 Comments
Comment posted by Jeff Nadler on April 26, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Bob: this is beyond breath-taking for several reasons beyond the bird and colors.

1) Diagonals have always offered an eye-catching composition and you have two offsetting ones here.
2) the background, while the highly desired smooth oof, is multiple hues so offers more interest than a solid color
3) the perch is more interesting than a stick
4) the slight head-turn towards lens
5) the sharpness from tail to beak

Beautiful!
Registered on December 2, 2004, 140 Posts, 229 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Maples on April 26, 2006 at 1:07 PM
MAN! That's nice! Beautiful bird too.
Registered on January 4, 2005, 285 Posts, 731 Comments
Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on April 26, 2006 at 1:09 PM
Beautiful image of the beautiful bird Bob ! Thanks for sharing. :toast:
Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments
Comment posted by Juza on April 26, 2006 at 1:26 PM
This is truly awesome! :toast:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments
Comment posted by Brian E. Small on April 26, 2006 at 1:34 PM
I don't know buddy..................I don't think that new camera is working very well by the looks of this photo..............I think you'd better return it and just shoot with your old Yashica :biggrin: :razz:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on April 26, 2006 at 1:35 PM
WOW x3!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on April 26, 2006 at 1:41 PM
Doesn't get any better than that, Bob. Way to go!!
Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments
Comment posted by Josh Anderson on April 26, 2006 at 1:44 PM
Nice shot! :toast:
Registered on June 2, 2005, 493 Posts, 2996 Comments
Comment posted by Kirk Greene on April 26, 2006 at 1:44 PM
As already stated...SUPERB! Great subject, great BG, very nice light...... :eek:
Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on April 26, 2006 at 1:55 PM
Killer stuff Bob! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments
Comment posted by Rajan Desai on April 26, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Sweet!!!
:toast:
Rajan
Registered on March 25, 2005, 32 Posts, 395 Comments
Comment posted by Lana Hays on April 26, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Bob
Oh man....how sweet this is!!!! Just don't tell me that you shot this in your backyard or else I'm going to call in sick for a week, catch a plane to CA and camp out in your back yard!!!! :smile:
Registered on November 12, 2003, 0 Posts, 38 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Garber on April 26, 2006 at 2:01 PM
It can't get any better!
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on November 17, 2003, 704 Posts, 3535 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on April 26, 2006 at 2:06 PM
Beautiful Bob, Looks like you like the new camera although the 10D body did well on the previous post. Just perfect. :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments
Comment posted by Bob Steele on April 26, 2006 at 2:06 PM
Just don't tell me that you shot this in your backyard or else I'm going to call in sick for a week, catch a plane to CA and camp out in your back yard!!!!

Sorry Lana, why do you think Garth is catching a plane to CA to camp in my backyard. Shortly after this was taken, I was eating pizza, with my feet proped on the coffee table, and watching the Dodger game. :wink: :biggrin:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments
Comment posted by David Williams on April 26, 2006 at 2:18 PM
Simply superb......nuff said!
:toast:
Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments
Comment posted by Dave Courtenay on April 26, 2006 at 2:20 PM
Stunning birds you guys have-Beautifully presented :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 18, 2005, 56 Posts, 462 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Patrick Lor on April 26, 2006 at 2:22 PM
:toast: :toast: This is as good as it gets!
Registered on January 15, 2006, 91 Posts, 2052 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Grey on April 26, 2006 at 2:28 PM
:eek: What everyone said... a classic!

Plus such a nice illustration of the good side of light overcast -- that nice even light that allows full display of natural colors... and such colors!
Registered on December 2, 2003, 144 Posts, 2069 Comments
Comment posted by Bob Kaufman on April 26, 2006 at 3:42 PM
OK, that's it! I'll just trash my Western Tanager photo. :biggrin: And to think I had to travel 90 miles one-way to get a picture of this bird (with gas prices like it is :frown: )

As always, Bob, this is a killer shot!
Registered on February 17, 2005, 72 Posts, 901 Comments
Comment posted by chris hajee on April 26, 2006 at 3:50 PM
:eek: :toast:
Registered on January 18, 2005, 179 Posts, 2384 Comments
Comment posted by Bryan McCarty on April 26, 2006 at 4:16 PM
Doesn't get much better than that! Killer shot! :toast:
Registered on March 26, 2006, 64 Posts, 316 Comments
Comment posted by Alan Smith on April 26, 2006 at 4:48 PM
Beautiful Bob, stunning in everyway :smile:
Registered on January 20, 2006, 12 Posts, 26 Comments
Comment posted by Satie Sharma on April 26, 2006 at 5:45 PM
:eek: Brilliant! :toast: :toast:
Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 26, 2006 at 5:56 PM
:biggrin: Sweetness!!! :biggrin: Wish I could be Garth's shoes when he's there, looks like he's going to have a great time.

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by David Chauvin on April 26, 2006 at 6:03 PM
What more can I add? Simply a beautiful image. :toast:
Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments
Comment posted by Barb Hansen on April 26, 2006 at 6:04 PM
Incredible Image Bob......I wouldn't mind just seeing one of these let alone get a shot like this.
Registered on May 16, 2005, 380 Posts, 5157 Comments
Comment posted by Joe Vincent on April 26, 2006 at 6:18 PM
Lovely shot Bob. I really enjoy your work! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments
Comment posted by Duane Rosenkranz on April 26, 2006 at 6:46 PM
Awesome. Best I have seen.
:toast: :toast:
Duane Rosenkranz
Registered on October 13, 2004, 280 Posts, 2661 Comments
Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on April 26, 2006 at 7:31 PM
Simply an outstanding photo- I want to be like you when I grow up :jump: :wink:
Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Dubois on April 26, 2006 at 7:49 PM
Beautiful :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments
Comment posted by Sam Alfano on April 26, 2006 at 7:54 PM
Absolutely perfect in every regard. A photo to die for.
Registered on April 24, 2006, 8 Posts, 106 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 26, 2006 at 8:15 PM
A jaw-dropper! Wonderful control of the yellow - a color that gives me exposure fits.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Jay Martin on April 26, 2006 at 9:19 PM
Kick #?%*ss shot! Bob.
:toast: :toast:
Registered on December 6, 2005, 200 Posts, 2209 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Fusco on April 26, 2006 at 10:09 PM
Big time congrats, Bob!!

- Paul
Registered on November 17, 2003, 283 Posts, 1163 Comments
Comment posted by Andres M. Domingue on April 27, 2006 at 6:21 AM
Great image, bg, beautiful bird, .... :toast:
Registered on October 29, 2005, 43 Posts, 181 Comments
Comment posted by Glenn Bartley on April 27, 2006 at 7:33 AM
Oh man. This is incredible. Even good enough to change the icon by your name I see. Sincere congrats on this one Bob! :toast:
Registered on June 29, 2004, 448 Posts, 1180 Comments
Comment posted by Krijn Trimbos on April 27, 2006 at 3:57 PM
That is just totally sick! You just sit in your backyard and they come along and pose for you while you are watching a game on TV???? I wish birds in Holland would do that! Apart from what I just said this excellent shot of this beautifull bird is not really helping my jealousy any. Excellent all round!
Registered on October 18, 2005, 260 Posts, 2979 Comments
Comment posted by Bob Steele on April 27, 2006 at 4:52 PM
Thank you all for your kind words.

I know I joke a lot about shooting in my yard, but it's a little more than what it appears. My wife and I have spent nearly 20 years creating a bird friendly habitat on our 2.5 acres in the desert. We have many drought tolerant trees, a small pond with moving water, and various feeders. It's all arranged with photography in mind as well. Very few of these species will tolerate close human presence, so a blind is nearly always required. Our little oasis is also in a major flyway during both spring and fall migration, so you never know what might turn up. Our yard list is over 175 species. It's a special place, that's certain. :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments
Comment posted by Kai Hui on April 27, 2006 at 5:28 PM
Thanks for explaining this to us. Your yard sure is a special place.

Kai
Registered on May 10, 2004, 133 Posts, 574 Comments
Comment posted by JUN kIM on April 27, 2006 at 9:38 PM
Amazing~~!! 175 species~~!!
It's so nice that bird visit your house~!

Beautiful shot! I really enjoyed.
:toast:
Registered on July 14, 2005, 19 Posts, 26 Comments
Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on April 27, 2006 at 11:04 PM
:eek: I don't know what to say... :toast: :toast:

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Burchett on April 27, 2006 at 11:05 PM
:jump:
Registered on April 5, 2006, 2 Posts, 72 Comments
Comment posted by Jake Dingel on April 28, 2006 at 7:09 AM
super shot, like the perch.
Registered on April 24, 2006, 34 Posts, 633 Comments
Comment posted by richard ettlinger on April 28, 2006 at 7:24 PM
Killer image Bob!!!! :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 17, 2004, 377 Posts, 1565 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Preney on April 28, 2006 at 10:01 PM
Sweet! :toast:
Registered on February 21, 2006, 9 Posts, 17 Comments
Comment posted by Nathan Wright on April 29, 2006 at 1:48 AM
that surely has to be the pinnacle of western tanager images. absolutely perfect!
Registered on November 19, 2003, 9 Posts, 99 Comments
Comment posted by Al Andersen on May 2, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Whoa! :eek: An incredibly sweet shot, Bob! :toast:
Registered on March 6, 2005, 14 Posts, 142 Comments
Comment posted by Kelly Rowe on June 2, 2006 at 4:58 PM
There was a reason I never looked in this gallery before... This is one humbling photo, Bob! If I look at any more I'll have some used camera equipment for sale.

Great job! :toast:
Registered on January 12, 2006, 39 Posts, 32 Comments
Comment posted by W. Tracy Parnell on June 12, 2006 at 5:13 PM
:eek: :eek:
Registered on March 4, 2004, 27 Posts, 1638 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 1, 2006 at 12:59 AM
Excellent, as always!
Sandy :toast:
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Juan Aragones on October 1, 2006 at 10:48 AM
Bob this shot is really wonderfull. The only thing I would like to see is a more intense green colour in the background to mate the magnificent yellow and read plumage :wink:
Anyway, the picture and the bird species are both amazing! :toast: :toast:
Registered on September 28, 2006, 72 Posts, 779 Comments
Comment posted by David Jirovsky on November 18, 2006 at 10:58 AM
Bob, it is great shot and beside this I like the final digital finishing of your photos so much. Thanks for sharing. Crisp
Registered on September 29, 2006, 18 Posts, 122 Comments
Comment posted by Carol Hyman on April 5, 2007 at 12:26 AM
Bob,

So picture-perfect.

The amount of space to the right.
The exposure.
The wonderful diagonal.
Also thanks for posting your shooting information.
That really helps me learn.

I like your birds,

Carol
http://hy-tec-training.com
Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on May 10, 2008 at 7:36 AM
This one looks perfect to me. I wish I knew how you do it.
Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments