Black Phoebe

Gallery: AvianPosted September 27, 2009144 views12 comments

Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
Date: September 24, 2009 6:37 am
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
ISO 500, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/40 @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3, Mac G4, 70% of frame

This phoebe has adopted a pavilion near the main parking lot at the Water Ranch, close to one of the ponds. I see it on most visits. I took a chance in very low light about 20 minutes after sunrise and am pleased with this natural light result.

As always: honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger image before critiquing if possible.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 27, 2009 at 11:00 PM

The lighting is angelic and the BG is just fantastic - now if only the perch couldn't be man made. . . :-)

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 27, 2009 at 11:48 PM

Rich,

I think the soft, natural light here is exceptional and the lime sherbet colored background is a perfect foil for this little beauty. The pose is lovely with the head tilted up as it is. Wonderful details, sharpness and composition.

The post works fine for me, the bird looks quite content on it.

A very pleasing, delightfully appealing image imo.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ravee Wattanatanak on September 28, 2009 at 2:14 AM

Very cute bird and smooth bg too.

Registered on December 12, 2008, 105 Posts, 786 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 28, 2009 at 6:36 AM

The soft background really accentuates the fine plumage. Good contrast in colors background/subject. The perch is manmade, but I was thinking that the Phoebes I have seen really seem to like this type of perch if it is available. The skyward gaze is sweet.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 28, 2009 at 2:01 PM

Excellent image. I really like the upturned head.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on September 28, 2009 at 3:38 PM

Great BG and lighting on this one. Good job, Richard.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on September 28, 2009 at 9:51 PM

I like the pose, background and how you captured the soft texture of the black feathers.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on September 28, 2009 at 11:12 PM

A beautiful little Phoebe Rich. We don't see many of the Black Phoebe's posted here.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on September 29, 2009 at 9:08 AM

SWEET Love the fluffiness and head tilt

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on September 29, 2009 at 6:49 PM

Looks a cute little bird. I like the pose and you've drawn out the detail in both the black and white feathers very well. Obviously low light conditions meant that you couldn't get sufficient DOF to get the whole bird sharp but the crucial areas are very sharp. The early morning light gives a nice feel to the image and the background shows the bird up to good effect. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by mother.daughter.ph on September 29, 2009 at 9:28 PM

The feather detail on the wings is soooo beautiful, then I looked at the larger image and realized the detail on the wing feathers is so lovely in their vertical lines/dark-and-light. This may seem funny, but I also really like the detail on the wood post it's standing on - I can almost feel the texture under its feet, and it makes the whole thing seem even more touchable. Really pretty photo, thank you for sharing, and the light is delightful.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 5 Posts, 38 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on September 29, 2009 at 11:29 PM

These phoebes are so much fun to photograph, it looks like it is eyeing it's next meal.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments