Tufted Titmouse

Probably my favourite yard bird over here, I have spent a lot of time photographing them in the past year or so. This is a little low in the frame but I like the pose.

I have a new monitor which seems to be too saturated in the reds, even after calibration (going to try again...I think I need a to get a new calibration 'puck' too!) - how does it look at your end?

1D2N, 500/4 IS, 1.4x @ f10, 1/500, ISO 200, full frame

Mark, the background is blown out nicely. No distractions whatsoever. Albeit on the red side I don't think it hinders the image. That being said, IMHO I'd say it is a third to a half stop over exposed for my liking. Maybe a small adjustment with the contrast/hilight tool in PS to tone it down and give it some punch.

Thanks Mike and Bob...

Bob, as I said above, this is full frame...not sure why this is looking soft for you though - is it looking soft to anyone else?

Mike, when you say this looks over-exposed, is it looking blown anywhere or just bright? You mention punch - is it lacking contrast to you?

Not confident I have this monitor set-up right yet....

Hi Mark! Nice pose of this bird and BG. I, too, feel it's a bit soft as I don't see very much feather detail especially around the head. Could be my monitor because lots of times I think an image is soft but others don't comment on such. I don't think I've ever seen one of these in person. Someday...

Mark the whites are not blown out for I see detail there. The bird itself just looks bright. Tone down the exposure a tad, then I would adjust the contrast some, only because I like contrast in my images..... but thats just a personal thing. As far as softness I don't see it. I see detail throughout the birds feathers.

This is really nice, Mark. The bird looks sharp to me...? But what really makes it for me, is the bokeh. Nice job!