Orange-crowned Warbler

Gallery: AvianPosted January 3, 2010147 views18 comments

Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata)

Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ, USA
December 21, 2009
Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
ISO 400, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/160th @ f/5.6, -1/3rd ev comp
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, 63% of frame

Taken on the same outing as my recent Green Heron post, I liked the overall colors and the setting. Some might prefer the bird larger in the frame, but I'm happy with this composition.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Please view the larger version if commenting.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on January 3, 2010 at 5:47 PM

"Some might prefer the bird larger in the frame, but I'm happy with this composition." - And I am happy with this composition also. I like how you see the bird in it's environment and where you placed the bird in the frame. Good eye contact and details in the feathers. The almost monochromatic colors also is very pleasing. Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on January 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM

I'd be very happy with this one too! Isn't it amazing how birds' colours so often blend in with their habitat? Beautiful.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM

This is a beautiful composition with just the right amount of foliage. Detail is excellent. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Peter May on January 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM

Wow. One of your best ever.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 7 Posts, 239 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on January 3, 2010 at 5:56 PM

I really like this Richard.The background habitat and colour sets the bird off a treat. I think you have got the composition just right. Graham

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 3, 2010 at 6:01 PM

Hi Richard: The overall monochromatic tones of this image work well. The environmental composition works very well for me on this image. The balance of the image feels comfortable with the few leaves on the right side of the image. I like the perch and position of the warbler on the perch. In the larger view, the catchlight in the eye is a little odd. Feels like a pin light. You didn't indicate that flash was used. A very nice image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 3, 2010 at 6:15 PM

A fine habitat shot of this species and beautiful colours.. Of course, one might like to crop it closer and eliminate any of the BG foliage etc and keep one's eye on the bird and spiky perch, but I know you favor these types of shots, and your own choice and decision wins over all.
I would remove the blue cast to the eye cause by the flash though Rich.

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

Comment posted by Jimmie Fata on January 3, 2010 at 6:34 PM

One of my favorites this year. A fantastic mix of yellows.

Registered on December 27, 2009, 14 Posts, 55 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 3, 2010 at 6:40 PM

In the larger view, the catchlight in the eye is a little odd. Feels like a pin light. You didn't indicate that flash was used.

- Keith Bauer

Thanks for catching this. I posted in a hurry and forgot to mention: fill flash (-1.7 or maybe -2 ev) with SB-800.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on January 3, 2010 at 6:55 PM

Beautiful image, with a very complimentary colored bg.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on January 3, 2010 at 7:13 PM

Some may prefer it without the intrusion of the twigs on the right but I think it gives a nice balance. Its for sure a keeper just as is..

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 3, 2010 at 7:52 PM

The size of the bird is perfect for me Richard. The composition is excellent with nice balance, interesting perch and great in/out of focus elements.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 3, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Well seen, Rich. The overall balance of subject and habitat is just right. The perch is a strong element here, and it's nice that it is in sharp focus along with the subject.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 3, 2010 at 10:44 PM

Very nice composition, Richard. I like the way the delicacy of the foliage works with the bird.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 3, 2010 at 11:25 PM

Wonderful setting to this scene, I like seeing more of an environment to a bird image so I can see what the bird is hanging around in, excellent shot Richard, good overall tone and clarity, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 4, 2010 at 11:48 AM

Beautiful shot Richard, I particularly like the matching golden hues of bird and background

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 4, 2010 at 2:55 PM

Rich, this is just super. What a great color palate and the bird and habitat comp is perfect IMO. Just wonderful.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 4, 2010 at 10:30 PM

Richard,

I would be very happy with this image, the composition works very well and I enjoy that the bird is small in the frame, it is very pleasing to me.

I love the subtle colors in the background and the bird, the laciness of the foliage adds a great deal of interest in my opinion.

An excellent image as posted.

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