Thrush+Repost

Gallery: AvianPosted October 22, 201083 views11 comments

Hermit Thrush (Hyclocichla guttata faxoni)

This little bird was quite thirsty. I just hung around what I thought was its favorite watering spot. It returned once more for a photo op and then disappeared. However, it was very shaded. So, a fill flash was necessary. I used a Better Beamer this time to extend the flash. Flash compensation (-2/3 I think) was necessary but was not recorded by my camera in the metadata.

As busy as it is, I like the Fall habitat shown here. Feather detail varied somewhat across the bird. In particular, there appears to be a band of smooth feathers running along the body just below the wing. I found the reflection interesting too!

All comments very welcome.

EOS 7D, 400 mm f/5.6, 580EX II, Better Beamer: ISO 500, 1/800 s, f/6.3 (4.9 MP after cropping), usual NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on October 22, 2010 at 9:42 PM

Really like this Steve. Lots of interest with all the different colored leaves..
The water FG & bit of head reflection adds some mystery.
The bird is sharp, nice catchlight - cool pose too,,
I especially like the filtered light

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 22, 2010 at 10:36 PM

I have a lot of trouble with the secretive thrushes - this is an interesting and successful image. The "floating eye" reflection gave me a jolt when I noticed it before reading your note.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 22, 2010 at 11:28 PM

That floating eye is really wild. I like the image as this is how you often see this furtive species.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 23, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Great job on this, Steve. I love all the fall leaves and the secretive bird in the dappled sun. The reflected eye, really caps it off. Beautiful image.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 23, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Love the curious pose Steve, the fall colors and the floating eye. Your use of flash worked well here. I'm not too keen on the square compostion and think if you removed some from the top to create more of a landscape format it would minimize the OOF green leaves at the top left and place more focus on the thrush and floating eye.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on October 23, 2010 at 8:43 PM

There is good busy and bad busy. This is very good busy. The reflection caps it off.

Dan

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on October 24, 2010 at 8:53 AM

Steve,
I love this little guy and his unique pose, the colorful leaves all around and how the light "plays" with them. I really like the reflection too. Brilliantly done.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on October 24, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Thank you all: I very much enjoyed all of your comments. Mia suggested removing some of the top and mentions some advantages of doing that. Here's the repost. It does raise the bird in the frame but, on balance, I think she's right.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on October 24, 2010 at 6:31 PM

Nice capture.....I like the re-post better as well!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 24, 2010 at 7:38 PM

Steve,

I really like the repost, it has a wonderful intimacy.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 25, 2010 at 9:05 AM

Steve, The colors are great, I like the cocked head pose and really like the eye reflection. I too prefer the repost. Well done.

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