Reed Bunting

A very dull and miserable day - but was really chuffed to see this chap for about 10 seconds. He flew off and did not return. Had to up the ISO to 800 to get a decent shutter speed C & C appreciated
50d +100-400mm f5.6ISL
1/200"
F5.6
Aperture priority
ISO 800
Exif Version = Version 2.21
-0.33EV
Metering Mode = Pattern

Good catch Kim and a nice pose and BG! I keep going out looking for these at myu local hotspots but never seem to get a decent shot. The feather detail looks a little bit smeared - could it be a Neat Image effect?

Cheers

Tim

Great shot, love these birds and not easy to see at the moment. Great background.

Kim lovely composition, it does look like you have lost detail through noise reduction though..

Thanks Tim Peter and Tom, no Neat Image on this one, it does look a bit soft on the feathers - think it is probably due to distance and poor light, quite a big crop.

Hi Kim
Nice one. A toned down perch would have helped. You know those thin nobbly twiggy ones !
See you soon
John

Hi Kim

Always good to see these garden birds, for me they are under rated. It looks a little too processed for me and sadly the feather detail isn't coming through. It might be a culmination of light, lens and slight movement & crop factor, but you have done well. Perhaps using a tripod might help next time if you are in low light. Just a thought

Steve

I think there are a number of factors conspiring here, Kim, are you shooting jpg or raw? If you are shooting jpg then the camera will probably be applying a degree of NR, coupled with a large crop that will account for the loss of detail, also the 1-400 isn't at its best wide open but you were probably at the limit here looking at the techs.

I like the pose and the comp you have presented is very nice.

Hi and thanks for the comments. No choice about the perch - it wasn't a prepared site John. I was shooting in j peg, Phil, had no choice either with the lens - it was the only one I had with me at the time. Have looked at the the other few shots taken at the same time and they all appear to be much of a muchness. It is a bit difficult finding anything much here in the North West at the moment.!!

Nits covered, it is very nice to find these at this time of year. Nicely composed, well done.

Fran