Mistltoebird #2

Gallery: AvianPosted August 27, 2010180 views19 comments

This is the same individual from my earlier post just starting to fluff himself up, turn around, and deposit the remains of his lunch on the twig.
At first glance this may appear oversharpened but I actually reduced my normal amount. I think the combination of the raised mantle and the pale fringes to the flight feathers (something I haven't seen or noticed on this species before)gives it a somewhat 'streaky' appearance. I'd be interested to know what you think.
1d2n 500/f4 1.4X
ISO 400 f6.3 1/60

cheers
Rob

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 27, 2010 at 10:48 PM

Nice, Rob. Beautiful detail and colors. I love that shade of blue. Nice head turn. It looks like you accidentally posted the same image in the larger image space.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 27, 2010 at 10:51 PM

nice bird, pose, and bg, Rob. I've found that some species seem to look oversharpened even when I reduce sharpening to less than half the usual amount. I think it must have something to do with different feather structure and our own preconceptions. I am usually not one who complains about square crops, but in this case, the comp is not working well for me. I think I'd prefer a little off the bottom and a little more on the left.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on August 27, 2010 at 10:58 PM

Hi Brian,

I agree about the square crop but there is a whole lot of oof rubbish that prevents me going any further left.

Rob

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 28, 2010 at 12:50 AM

Very interesting bird; wonderful colors. Our tiny Verdin has feathers that always look bristly and over sharpened, so there could be something about certain feathers that makes them appear that way.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 28, 2010 at 1:10 AM

A beautiful bird! This crop works for me.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 28, 2010 at 1:46 AM

Looks great to me!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on August 28, 2010 at 3:52 AM

Beautiful bird, Rob. Very nice colors.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on August 28, 2010 at 8:25 AM

Very interesting bird. Love the over the shoulder pose it's giving you. The feather details are nice as is the overall composition. Sharpening looks fine. I hesitate to say it again...but the overall color balance is a bit blue IMHO. No nits otherwise. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on August 28, 2010 at 8:37 AM

I am not keen on square crops usually, but this seems to work somehow. Lovely bird and it's a first that I see the streaky look you describe here. I would probably have tried to include a little more habitat. Well done.. :)

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on August 28, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Excellent detail and pose, Rob. Great looking bird too. Sweet shot!

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on August 28, 2010 at 1:52 PM

Lovely colors and great detail Rob-

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

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on August 28, 2010 at 2:21 PM

Great looking bird and pose Rob. I like the comp, color, and the sharpness looks great but find the ULHC a bit distracting.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on August 28, 2010 at 4:47 PM

Nice head-turn and view of the interesting fringed back feathers. The red accents are lovely too.

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

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on August 28, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Beautiful bird Rob. Great turn of the head and the colors are great. I know what you mean about feeling it's oversharpened even with reducing the amount you've actually sharpened it but it's probably just the feathers because the branch and leaves are fine. I like the crop but just wish those two leaves were on the right, for some reason they distract me.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 29, 2010 at 2:33 AM

I think you got the sharpness just right Rob, your usual excellence. I (very personal) would prefer a bit more room in front and behind to get away from the square format. Of course that all depends what lurks in front and behind...

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

Comment posted by May Haga on August 29, 2010 at 11:00 AM

It looks beautiful to me Rob.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 29, 2010 at 7:48 PM

Beautiful shot Rob, the blues in this one look lighter than most of the shots you've posted of this species.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 30, 2010 at 9:48 AM

Rob,

It is a beautiful bird, no denying that. Great pose & eye contact. I do think the pale fringes give it a slightly oversharpened look, but there are some species I have come to expect that from. A lovely image as posted.

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on September 1, 2010 at 1:28 PM

Another excellent image.
Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments