Mountain Chickadee-With Exp/Sharp Revisions

I couldn't figure out how to add a second image, but here is a link to Photobucket for my second attempt at the Mountain Chickadee. In truth, there is not much more sharpness/detail to be "squoze" out of the poor fella's head, but here is one more try.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n232/mldiggs/People%20and%20Critters/IMG7D-0349NikEditsNikEditsVivezaOPS.jpg

-----------original text-----------------

I was out near Prineville last weekend and took a few shots of these adorable little Mountain Chickadees. I'm still getting the hang of my 7D (replacement for stolen 40d) but so far, I'm loving its autofocus performance.

7D with 100-400mm f/4L at 400mm, Tv 1/800, f/6.3, ISO 250.
Minor adjustments to brightness in LR, sharpening in Nik.

I like the pose and it's placement in the frame, but overall it seems a bit too dark

It also appears a little soft, like your sharpening didn't translate well to compression for the web.

I like the composition, but agree with Ryan that the background seems a little bit dark.

Thanks, Scott and Ryan. I'll lighten it a little bit. I think the softness is my poor choice of autofocus point. The breast is pretty sharp, but the all important eyes....not so much. He was flitting in and out so quickly, it was all I could do to lock focus on any part of him, but then again, I had about 15 chances!!

Thanks for posting this little mountain chickadee, I haven't spotted any yet. I like the pose with seed. My only nit already mentioned, the dark BG hampers good display of the bird and is quite distracting.

I agree with the others, Marylynne, a little brighter and a little sharper and this image will really pop. Looking forward to meeting you on Saturday.

Thanks, David. Me too. Hey, maybe one of you can micro-adjust the focus on my 7d over a pint of Hammerhead and BLT...just kidding