Palm Warbler

Gallery: AvianPosted February 5, 201162 views10 comments

Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum)

I followed this little bird on Grand Cayman last December as it progressed in short flights from an empty lot to the adjacent beach. At this point it finally turned to me as if to ask what I wanted. When all it got was plenty of shutter noise it took off.

There is a bit of something hanging from its beak. I was tempted to clean it up a little before putting it on stage. However, I don't like to create bird pixels. So, here it is, as is.

I like the DOF here and the pose of the bird as well as the detail.

All comments very welcome.

1D Mark IV, EF400 mm f/5.6L +1.4xTC: ISO 1250, 1/1000 s, f/8.0, 0 EV, 5.9 MP after cropping, NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on February 5, 2011 at 10:07 PM

Sweet! I like the cocked head as if he's giving you some attitude. Nice low angle and the pine needles make a great setting.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 6, 2011 at 2:36 AM

Good pose and interesting expression. I like the habitat a lot. Good sharpness on the main subject. If I understand the Canon world correctly, this would be manual focus too right?

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 6, 2011 at 7:27 AM

Gary, in answer to your question, with the 1D Mark IV I'm able to use autofocus with the center point for this lens configuration. The other autofocus points don't function but I find that I don't miss them that much. Previously, when I used the 7D, I could only use manual focus or a very slow autofocus (on the center point in live view mode only). Neither was satisfactory and I had stopped using the 1.4 x extender on the 400 mm with the 7D. Being able to have a portable 560 mm lens with autofocus was a major reason why I went to the 1D Mark IV.

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 6, 2011 at 7:34 AM

Steve,

I really like the pose of the warbler and the tilt of the head, I also like the setting a lot. In the larger version the head, eye and bill look a bit soft, perhaps some selective sharpening there would over come that. I like the warm, natural colors and I think you dof worked well here.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 6, 2011 at 8:12 AM

A nice look from this palm warbler Steve. Nice low view and the sand and pine straw habitat is very typical of where I see them her in FL too. The head and beak look a bit soft to me, especially the beak. Maybe another round of sharpening there would help.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 6, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Lovely bird, setting and pose. It does seem to be asking what do you want.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 6, 2011 at 3:36 PM

Thank you for the info on the autofocus. Definitely a great lightweight and capable setup!!!

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 7, 2011 at 3:52 PM

Steve,
I like your dof choice, the colors and the pose. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 8, 2011 at 7:27 AM

Good direct eye contact with catch-light, has that inquisitive look too..
Like the comp, this little beauty stands out nicely from the ground clutter.
Good details & use of DOF. Also like this POV that reveals that bit of red plumage at the top of its head.
Well done Steve

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 17, 2011 at 4:00 PM

Thank you all so much for your comments. Looks like I need to become more skilled at detecting slight image softness. I'll work at it.

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