House Sparrow in a shower of hail

First of all, I wish you all a happy and healthy 2010. Unfortunately I haven't been out much lately to photograph, due to other necessary activities. Two weeks ago I finally found some time to photograph birds in my garden. I was hoping for a Robin, but it became a male House Sparrow. Hope you like it.
Nikon D80 @ 500 mm, iso 250, f 5,6, 1/60 sec. on a tripod.

Nice shot of a much under rated bird.
Have a good year
JohnR

Nicely positioned in the frame. It looks as cold as I feel.

Happy new year to you.

David

Lovely shot, I really like the composition of this image - and it almost made me shiver.

Lovely shot!
Like the dark atmosphere of this one with the falling snow flakes.

Greetings,

Jeroen Stel

I Like the composition and the hail effect and the lovely house sparrow you hav to feel for them in this weather
Bronia

Very nice. The hail adds an important extra dimension to the image and the background is excellent. Very rewarding to photograph in marginal weather.

Love the atmosphere you have captured here alongside this lovely bird,composition is brillant,a lovely image

Hi Sandra

There is a lovely moody feel to this image which as JM pointed out benefits from the extra dimension created by the hail. Good stuff

Best for 2010

Andy

That looks like an impressive hailstorm! You've captured the mood very nicely here.

A very nice shot Sandra. The snow and hail storm really add to the image.

Hi Sandra

lovely shot that just about sums up the weather at the moment

Can I make a suggestion of a tiny levels lift Sandra - cracking comp of my favourite LBJ

Very nice work Sandra and looks as though you captured everything you hoped for during that downpour of hail. A little lift in the levels will help as Andy rightly comments but otherwise it all works very well for me. Nice seen and executed.

Brett

Thank you all for your comments. Andy and Brett, thanks for the suggestion to lift the levels a bit. I will give it a try.