Black-headed Grosbeak

Gallery: AvianPosted August 6, 201086 views9 comments

Another of the summer residents that I hoped to capture during the few months it is here, this male Black-headed Grosbeak is one of the better ones that I got of this species.

I wish that the head and bill were against the lighter bg of the juniper, and the light was on the strong side, but on the whole I think it turned out pretty well.

Your comments and critiques are appreciated.

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, monopod.

f/7.1, 1/800, ISO 400

Crop to 63% (11.4 of 18MP)

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 6, 2010 at 5:08 PM

They are neat birds Brian and I agree with you that it turned out pretty well. Detail and exposure look good and the pose is nice. As you say having the black head against that dark background may not be ideal but I still think it stands out fine, especially in the larger version.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 6, 2010 at 5:54 PM

Very cool bird Brian. Great exposure and sharpness on the bird. I agree the BG is on the best for this bird, but I like the bird so much it really does not matter to me.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 6, 2010 at 11:14 PM

Excellent detail and the head separates itself from the dark bg very well in the larger image.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 7, 2010 at 7:37 AM

Brian,

I've only gotten one chance with this species this year in Montana, they are lovely birds. Love the pose and the great view on the eye. Very natural looking colors too. While the dark background behind the head isn't ideal, the larger version shows a nice seperation from it. Very nice work handling a challenging bird to expose right.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 7, 2010 at 4:05 PM

Must echo everybody else, Brian: fine shot; too bad about the black head against the dark background but large image looks better. That said, I'd sure be tempted to try some post processing to increase the contrast of the head against the background!

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 7, 2010 at 4:29 PM

Nit mentioned, but nice!

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 7, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Great detail and light on the bird Brian

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 8, 2010 at 7:05 AM

Fine details and BG separation Brian, the colors look great.
Nice bit of catchlight there too, it's a beautiful bird.
Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 8, 2010 at 12:23 PM

He's a beauty, nice lighting in this one Brian

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