Catch of the day

Taken from the same session as my previous posting. This song thrush had hit the jackpot, and the worm was swallowed within seconds. In the conditions prevalent at the time the meal may well have made the difference between life and death. Do you think that the out of focus snow at the top of the picture helps tell the story, or do you consider it a distraction that the picture could do without? All views welcome, as always.

Thanks for looking.

David

Nikon D600, 600mm Nikon, Gitzo tripod, 800 ISO, 1/100th @f5.6

Looks fine to me at the top David. No problems with the snow but I do find the botom green a bit overpowering.Others will love it no doubt.Great action shot though.
Cheers
JR

Agree with JR David on the green mush, maybe crop about half off it? Cracking shot of the thrush with the worm. Any more with it consuming it?

Nick.

No, Nick. I shot a continuous burst, but at that shutter speed I was just glad that one was reasonably sharp.

David

Nicely captured action, David. The snow suits the image fine, but although I love mushy foregrounds, I think in this case it is a bit overpowering. I agree with Nick's cropping suggestion.

Hi David, if these birds are quite happy and you can get reasonably close, then to get much lower down to get almost at eye level will provide a far greater and more interesting POV. Although you see the subject and captured the behaviour, I just find the angle a little boring. It would also help in reducing the amount of OOF FG, which is good, but a little excessive in this image I feel. I'm not sure if it's that clear that the white patches are snow, but I think it's ok, not too bright. As presented I think a square crop can also work and perhaps gives more emphasis on the subject, as I personally feel there is just too much space all round and the subject is a little lost. Having a hint of the green, then the OOF leaves is nice. Just watch you shutter speed!

TFS
Steve

Thanks for the comments, folks. Steve, a lower angle would not have worked here. The green mush in the foreground was a slight ridge near the footpath, and getting any lower would have hidden the bird. I certainly wasn't going to disturb it by trying to move closer when it was busy on what may have been a life-saving meal. As most people have remarked on the crop, here is a horizontal alternative in a 5:4 ratio. Does it work any better?

David

Yes it does for me David. Even a tad more of the bottom and top
JR

David must say i like the cropping on the first image the second does seem to have a lot of space on the left but as often said on here it's a personal thing,I do like the Thrush with it's beak full of a very fat worm,very nice indeed.
Keith.

Second one for me David and Steve's square crop idea could also work. Great capture

Bob

David the RP works now and the subject sets better in frame. I wasn't suggesting going closer, only lower, but certainly using a 600 this would have give both you and the subject enough of a comfort zone, and if this isn't a huge or significant crop, then you probably about right.

Unbelievably i agree with John about the mush so much perfer the second, think its cracking mate

David

I find the second version works for me. Yes I see and agree a lower POV would enhance the image but circumstances do not always present themselves in such away that you can position well as you'd wish. So often you can lose the subject trying to reposition for a better position.
Luck plays a part too.

Second one for me, with perhaps losing a bit more green off the bottom. The worm is great.