Black-Capped Chickadee

Gallery: AvianPosted March 10, 201077 views5 comments

It was a nice brisk morning out, and with the warmer weather of the past week, I've heard and seen more and more birds about. As a novice, I found this (hope I'm correct) chickadee and his/her partner quite entertaining, just as the guides describe. Hanging upside down and sideways and not afraid as I approached. My main problem was in this bush w/ all the branches. Finally this bird stopped above what is I believe some sumac. The head seems a bit tucked in and it was looking basically into the early sunlight. Anyway, shot at ISO-80, 1/250th at f-4.0 with just a Sony H2. Thanks for looking and any C&C or corrections!!

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 10, 2010 at 2:06 PM

You are right about both the bird and the sumac.

While the composition is a bit busy, it's a good habitat shot - especially wtih that red sumac. The real problem comes with the exposure - blown whites and clipped blacks. It's very hard to deal with these problems when using a pro-sumer like a Sony H2. Morning and Evening light are good at combating this, as is exposure compensation and fill flash but it takes a bit of experementing and a lot of experience to finally get things right.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 10, 2010 at 2:33 PM

OK, that's a start Luke!! I started out earlier, but yes, by the time I got to this bird the sun was shining right on the tree and him/her. Was there with its partner too, lots of fun. I don't mind the comp so much because the branches all make it very difficult--as you said, especially w/ an H2 and, me!! Thanks for the comments, i always appreciate your fine feedback.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on March 10, 2010 at 7:18 PM

Bill, as luke has pointed out some problems I thought i would put in my two cents. I would like to see some eye detail as well and maybe a vertical crop would help with the busy background.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on March 11, 2010 at 6:22 AM

thanks Wade, good idea--not sure why the shutter was so slow too, maybe just went from one shot to another real quick, don't remember exactly.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 12, 2010 at 5:37 PM

Bill,

Your shutter speed was very low because your ISO was way too low, increasing your ISO will increase your shutter speed (make sure auto ISO is turned off). I don't know if the Sony H2 has a way of using EV compensation, but that might have helped in this tricky lighting situation.

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