Eastern Kingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 2010112 views16 comments

D300, 500mm f/4, tripod
ISO 500, 1/640 sec, f/9
Photo taken at Ft. Pickens National Seashore, FL last August. Cropped to 52% of full frame.I have a version with the leaf touching the head removed, but the bird is so entwined in the habitat that the touching leaf seemed to fit the overall bird/habitat mixture. Your thoughts?
Comments and suggestions most welcome

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Tom Lusk on March 24, 2010 at 3:54 PM

I really like this shot. The foliage and BG really make this special. The larger version shows how well this scene was captured.

I admit that my first instinct was to think - Hmmmm... that leaf.

Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 24, 2010 at 5:45 PM

I like this as posted and am glad you kept the leaf as shot.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 24, 2010 at 5:55 PM

I like it too. Great habitat, detail, pose and bg.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 24, 2010 at 6:01 PM

David, I like this. Sure I would love to see that characteristic tail a bit better, but the perch vege, the BG, and the great sharpness and ligtht all work for me. Nice exposure too. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on March 24, 2010 at 6:35 PM

The habitat looks great here David. He's a little too centered for my tastes, but that's easily changed if you have more canvas either side. Nice shot .

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on March 24, 2010 at 6:38 PM

It is a little centered but you had to leave in the vegitation on the right. I think it was the right move.
Very nice post!

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 24, 2010 at 9:17 PM

I must admit, my first impression too was that the leaf should go.....However, the more I looked at it, particularly the large version, the more I liked it...That leaf sort of grows on you....Very nice habitat image, David.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 24, 2010 at 10:54 PM

David, I gotta admit, I wish that leaf wasn't quite touching his head too... everything else here looks great. interesting diagonal through the frame and I like how nicely the bird fits right into the gap in the foliage. I like how you can see some of the tail too. a great looking pose, and your comp works for me.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 24, 2010 at 11:29 PM

Very nice shot! I like the bird's pose, the leafy perch and the nice green BG. I also think the comp looks good as is but if it was mine I might shave a bit off the right side just as a personal pref of my own. Also congrats on the "bowing gnatcatcher" editors pick of the week.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 25, 2010 at 1:53 AM

I like it just as is David - the BG and perch make the shot work for me. Cool habitat capture.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 25, 2010 at 2:05 AM

Works well David - like the habiat, head-turn and fine job you have done with exposure.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 25, 2010 at 10:11 AM

The diagonal and triangular shapes in both bird and bush make for a very interesting composition. Nice work. (I vote to leave the leaf as captured.)

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 25, 2010 at 4:10 PM

David,
the entire image works for me as presented. Very nice habitat shot!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 25, 2010 at 6:17 PM

Excellent, David. The leaf doesn't bother me a bit.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 26, 2010 at 12:44 AM

Beautiful image quality David and nice head turn. Don't know what your views on cloning are but I'd be tempted to play with that leaf.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Laura Stafford on April 21, 2010 at 10:38 AM

Wonderful composition. I really like how the bird is framed by the leaves. I like the position of his head too with the cacthlight in his eye. The backgrounds is very pleasing too.

Laura Stafford

Registered on November 3, 2009, 52 Posts, 375 Comments