Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa striata, perched on a gravestone at my local churchyard. There are 2 pairs at this site this year,

2010:05:26 17:07:15
Canon EOS 1DsMkIII 600mmf4IS + 1.4X = 840mm
Subject dist: 9.9m
1/640 sec, f/9
Mode: Av
Metering: Evaluative
ISO: 400
AF mode: AI Servo AF
Drive: Continuous (high)
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off
File size: 25.1MB
Image size: 3744 x 5616
Color space: AdobeRGB
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: 0
Contrast: 0
Tone: Normal
Custom Functions:
CFn III-2: AI Servo tracking sensitivity: slow (-1)
CFn III-13: AF point brightness: brighter

RAW conversion DPP, Levels, Curves, resize & sharpen CS3

I do like this Nigel - the colours of the lichen-encrusted gravestone really add to the image without detracting from the subject.

There's some nice soft light happening in there and the BG works a treat too.

I would like it even more if the right side was cropped just left of the vertical edge of the stones upper element.

Nice image - really appeals to me

Nigel the bird sits beautifully on the stone like it a lot ,

Keith.

This is a really superb portrait of this species. Strange how they really seem to like churchyards.

David

Hi Nigel,

Great image would leave it as it is.

Shaun

Great shot nigel, there all going to say " to central" but I know why you done it, to show the shape of the grave stone.
Well thought out.

Dale

Hi Nigel a great image my pair on sitting on 5/6 eggs in last years nest this is the 6th year for the same female as it was ringed as a adult bird.

Phil.

super image like it as it is because you are showing the shape of the gravestone

Super little bird on a fabulous perch.Agree with Andy re; a little off the right.

Phil.

A lovely image. I don't mind the bird being central but I would still crop a touch from the right. You may not get the full shape of the gravestone but it would still be sufficient to recognize. Alternatively, less of an overall crop and show even more of the stone.

Quality bird on a quality perch. Lichen really works well. The little strip of background to the right of the gravestone is just too narrow for me, for me there needs to be as much space again or cropped into the gravestone as the others have suggested.


Calum

Composition works very well here as does the over the shoulder pose of the bird, the gravestone tells the story and the lichen adds some colour-very nice

Dave

Lovely image. Composition works well indeed. However I agree with Andy about cropping a bit off the right side. The colourful lichen covered gravestone is really very nice.

I like this. I'm sure you are going to be able to capture a whole range of different compositions.

I have to agree with Andy re the crop, but you have all the options open so you're laughing. I really like the textures and surface detail on the tombstone which really lift a shot of what is basically a rather dull looking bird. Love it.
eric