WarblerGymnast+Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2010121 views15 comments

Thanks to Mia and Brian (http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=52427&CGISESSID=347c87bcfaec71148a0b743ceffc9ee6&u=3125)
I now know that this little fellow is a Palm Warbler ((Dendroica palmarum).

I decided to post this image (photographed in Cuba) because the more I thought about what this little bird is doing, the more I’m impressed. I don’t know how he can so effortlessly stretch vertically downwards and recover immediately! A limitation of this image is that we don’t really see what he is reaching for: that must remain a mystery. He was a very active warbler.

All comments always welcome.

EOS 7D, EF400mm f/5.6, 580 EX II: ISO 640 (I should have used lower), 1/250 s (fill flash; max x synch speed for the 7D), f/8.0. Image is 2651 x 3431 pixels (=9.1 MP or 51% of the 18 MP of the 7D). NR using Neat Image; Sharpening using Sharpener Pro.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 7, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Very cool behavior shot Steve. Well captured.

IMO the OOF green in the top could be cropped. I think that would emphasize the downward line of the tail and draw the viewer down to the warbler's eye.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on February 7, 2010 at 6:46 PM

I always like pictures that show birds doing something unusual or interesting. This one wins a gold star in that respect. I wish the tip of its beak weren't hidden behind the leaf.

The palm warbler is one of the few I can readily identify, not so much by its appearance, but by its tail-dipping behavior.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 7, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Good behaviour shot! I'd agree with Ed's suggestion.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 7, 2010 at 8:25 PM

Steve, I like this pose a lot. It does not bother me that the bill tip is obscured, it is part of the interesting foraging behavior and I like the leaf he's reaching under. In terms of the comp, I think I'd prefer to see the bird further left in the frame (at lease centered, if not slightly to the left side).

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 7, 2010 at 9:24 PM

Thank you everyone, especially Ed, for the crop suggestions. Brian, I tried moving the bird more to the left too but left of center is really what's needed and not readily done without heroic effort with this original. I think I do like it better with the OOF green removed.....as pretty as it was.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 7, 2010 at 9:31 PM

Terrific! A unique image with great tension from the pose. Image quality looks good in the larger version as well.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 7, 2010 at 10:24 PM

I love the stretch, great timing

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 7, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Very neat, Steve. The pose is great and you managed to catch it pretty much in the open. I like the way the limbs around it frame the bird. A very nice composition and action.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 7, 2010 at 11:27 PM

That's a terrific behavioral image Steve, I prefer the original. There's a touch of noise in the bg but not bad. A wonderful shot with him stretching down to feed like that.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 8, 2010 at 12:17 AM

There is a lot going on in the frame, but it all works so well together. The really wonderful pose is the icing on the cake for sure. Top notch Steve!!!

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 8, 2010 at 8:38 AM

Steve,

I think this is an interesting and unusual image as posted. I prefer the original myself because of the space up top. I like the tension of the pose, the details, setting and the action. Thanks for providing the larger image, I liked opening it up and enjoying the details.

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 8, 2010 at 10:14 AM

Nice behavioral shot Steve , suggestions already noted.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2010 at 2:07 PM

Wow, very interesting shot, I happen to like the 2nd image just a little better but both are a superb shot, well done.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 8, 2010 at 4:16 PM

Great shot Steve. I love the position of the bird, very unique. The repost is much better. I think the color and texture of the leaves in the LRHC really add a lot to this image. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 10, 2010 at 12:19 PM

Thank you all for the additional comments. Recalling how difficult it was to wake up early enough to obtain this shot, it's great to know that the image was enjoyed by so many.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments