Horned Lark

Gallery: AvianPosted November 21, 2010173 views18 comments

Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)

Place: Scottsdale, AZ
Date: November 13, 2010 3:00 pm
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E 2x), monopod from car window
Exposure: aperture priority matrix metered, ISO 400, 1/640th @ f/11, -2/3rds ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac G4, cropped to 75% of frame

Horned Larks can be seen year round in the central part of AZ, and they breed from the deserts to the high moutain meadows. But as birds of open (desolate) places, they are difficult for me to get within camera range. This bird was more cooperative than usual.

Please view the larger version before commenting, if possible. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on November 21, 2010 at 11:33 AM

Very good image of a difficult subject in a difficult background. My taste would be to clone out a few of the plants immediately behind the bird. Color and sharpness very strong.

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 21, 2010 at 11:39 AM

My taste would be to clone out a few of the plants immediately behind the bird.

I prefer leaving my nature subjects natural and don't clone out habitat. I selected this image form a series of shots because of the plants and not in spite of the plants.

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on November 21, 2010 at 12:02 PM

I understand Rogers nit but very few natural habitats bother me. There have been a few of mine that I have rejected because of something really eyecatching protruding from behind.The veg mentioned is far enough oof that it does not hurt IMO. Very enjoyable shot as posted!

Dan

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 21, 2010 at 12:09 PM

Overall a nice shot. The bird is very sharp and I like the alert pose. I also like the inclusion of the plants in the BG. The dirt "perch" and the shadow distract me a bit but probably not much you could have done about it.

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

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on November 21, 2010 at 1:03 PM

Nice shot Richard, as I've stated many times before I also like to see habitat in photos but I also understand and am not surprised by Rogers view about the plants, as habitat in photos seems to be a matter of personal tastes. Personally, I wish the one dark stem right behind the end of it's beak wasn't there but it's not a big deal. Again, nice capture of this Horned Lark.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on November 21, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Not an easy bird to get close to. Love the habitat in this one.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 21, 2010 at 3:41 PM

A really nice shot of this lark Rich. Great DOF. The plants in the BG are not a factor IMO. Neither are the dirt perch or the shadow. The dirt perch is perfect for this species as this is the type of place I would expect to see them. Light, sharpness, and detail are great. Wish I had a shot of this species.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 21, 2010 at 3:48 PM

Rich,
I really like the pose, the detail, the colors and the inclusion of habitat too.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 21, 2010 at 3:55 PM

Fine capture, Richard. This bird looks pretty alert! The plants and gravel perch all combine to make this a very natural habitat shot. I might have been tempted to lighten the dark stem behind his bill a bit. However, it's not that much of a distraction and It might not be so easy to do well. Looks like you have plenty of that Arizona sunshine to deal with here. Despite the bright light we can still see plenty of detail and the shadow is nicely off to the side away from the bird.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 21, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Awesome habitat shot... the only place I seem to find them is along a runway which doesn't make for an interesting image!

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on November 21, 2010 at 5:21 PM

This was my target species from my trip to Norfolk earlier this month and I lucked out unfortunately, so I'm a little envious of this shot and would be well pleased with this, good work Rich.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 21, 2010 at 7:46 PM

Rich, I love this as posted. Perfect setting for the species and IMO the greenery, all of it, behind the bird simply adds to the image.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 21, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Nice image. Lots of sharp detail in the larger post. I like the "horn". It looks like he is wearing a laurel wreath. Won't belabor the habitat. Well done.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on November 21, 2010 at 9:29 PM

I like the pose here Rich, and the details in the larger image are stunningly sharp. I think the inclusion of the vegetation is an essential part of the composition and I'm glad to see you insist on placing it in the shot.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 22, 2010 at 4:43 AM

Nice job Richard in what appears to be pretty harsh light - like the setting

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Sally King on November 22, 2010 at 10:29 AM

The details are spendid. I don't mind the oof greenery at all. A better pose and environment than they often give me. I say well done.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 22, 2010 at 1:22 PM

I have never seen one of these, very interesting color patterns to this bird, good detail and sharp where it needs to be, I like the directional light and bird shadow as well, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 25, 2010 at 6:18 PM

Gorgeous lark Richard, you've done an outstanding job here.
The surrounding habitat works for me - Congratulations on getting this close

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family

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