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One in the bush

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Steven Peckham on June 11, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Had a couple of visitors in the parking lot today when I went out for my lunch-time walk. Fortunately I had my gear along and I tried getting a few shots in. Apparently our visitors prefer to dine alone and my opportunity passed quickly, but it was fun while it lasted.

The image is of a cedar waxwing I believe. C&C is welcome as the visitors might return for lunch tomorrow.

<edit to add stats>

Vital stats: Xti, 70-200, 1.4x, f5.6, iso400 (clouds, light rain), hand-held.
Posted by Rod Chandler on June 11, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Steven, that is a great shot. It really puts the bird in perspective. The point merger between the beak and the leaf is a lilttle distracting but hey, birds put their beaks where they feel like it. They never took a photography course.
Posted by Nick Moore on June 11, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Very nice shot Steve, nice and sharp, great light and background!. I hope they return for you tomorrow, and next week.....
Posted by Stan Rose on June 12, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Cool, Steve, i really like how this works against that bg!
Posted by Joshua Hardin on June 12, 2009 at 1:31 AM
This is very nice. As Stan mentioned, I like how the colors of the bird have a similar tone to the background. Nice catch light in the eye too.
Posted by Morris McClung on June 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Yep, the background is really good in your shot. I would love to shoot one of these birds. They are really cool to me. Good job.
Posted by Steven Peckham on June 12, 2009 at 12:52 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone.

The background is the flagstone building I work in. Having it there was just dumb luck on my part as I was moving around the parking lot trying to get a few shots in before the rain picked-up.
Posted by John Mumaw on June 12, 2009 at 2:56 PM
Great catch! I wouldn't change a thing.
Hope you get more chances today.
Posted by Steven Peckham on June 12, 2009 at 11:26 PM

Thanks for the comments John. Had a couple more chances today. The lighting wasn't as good, nor the background, but I still managed to get a few shots.
Posted by Dan Walters on June 13, 2009 at 8:11 AM
Nice shot. I also like the colorof the background. It compliments the bird.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on June 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Yep, that's a waxwing. Love those birds and I've never gotten a shot of one as nice as this. Good job.
Posted by Don Grall on June 14, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Great shot and way to be prepared for the opportunity!
Posted by Steven Peckham on June 14, 2009 at 7:25 PM

Thanks everyone. I did find them outside again during lunch and had a few shots. They lack the nice background this time, but that's how it goes.

The cedar waxwings appear to me to be a fairly calm birds as they allow me to get within 20 feet. Their willingness to let me get close sure helps with the shots given my short reach (70-200).