Waxwing

Bohemian Waxwing
Theres going to be a glut of pics of these I reckon. Seems to be plenty about but they don't hang about. Good excuse to go shopping with the missus as most of the birds seem to be on supermarket car parks !
This one was very noisy so I am affraid Neat image in excess has given it a wierd look. I was going to bin it but we'll see what folks think.
Its a big crop too
Usual gear
600 ISO
250th at F11
Neat image.Levels,
Cheers
JohnR

The light looks lovely John, the wing part looks rather smudgy though just under the eye part is worse, have you cloned anything or is that the noise reduction

Looks good! Still haven't seen them here although they are about. I see what Karen means, but it's always difficult to see feather detail in these.

Thanks both
Yes Karen - thats exactly what I meant about Neat Image. I only kept it because the softness made the shot look different.
I got quite a few normal ones as well so its no big deal. As you say it was the late afternoon light on this as well which I liked.
Cheers
JohnR

I wonder about the glut of pictures, John. this year they seem skittish and never to stay anywhere for long. Perhaps they will get more confiding as winter progresses and food becomes more limited. In the meanwhile, this is a good start to build on.

David

John

A very nice image they really are a very photogenic species.

It is a little soft John, due to noise reduction no doubt, but it's still a good capture.
Strange how they hang around supermarket car parks, I wonder if Tesco have a "shoot one get one free" offer on at the moment

Ok, I'll get me coat

Geoff.

John it does look a little soft and the colours a little strange but there is something quite appealing about the image. Its certainly one more than I have seen

Like the composition and colour - although I do find the bunch of berries right beneath the vent a little distracting - perhaps that's just me though!

Thanks again
As I tried to explain(but not very well) its the faults that somehow made my like this one .
The lack of sharpness etc was one of them.Its like blurred shots are called art
Cheers
JR

It's quite artistic actually John. The 'smoothness' (for want of another word) gives it an almost painterly effect.

I find myself getting wrapped up in the more detail the better the shot,rather than just looking at the shot for its overall look.I also like this shot and if presented outside of a group of photographers it would be very popular I am sure. Rare subjects, perfect detail,highlight control can bring out the competetiveness in all of us. That said not all birds would benefit from the effect you have created and I think waxwings are a great subject for this looser approach. I appreciate your approach and encouraging others to question can only be a good thing.

Nice one John

I like it as it looks like a painting

It is lovely John - one to hang on the wall. I always think Waxwing have this very smooth appearance anyway. The colours are great.