Northern Mockingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted February 8, 201167 views17 comments

A common species for sure, but I was glad to finally get one out in the open on a favorable perch. The light was a little harsh, but not too bad. And this branch was part of a lone sapling in a brushy area, so there was tons of separation from the background, which is distant forest.

All comments & critiques welcome!

Nikon D80
Mode: Aperature
ISO: 400
Lens: Nikon 300mm f/4 & TC-17E II
Exp: 1/800 sec at f/6.7
65% of FF - Cropped on the left side for composition

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 8, 2011 at 11:09 PM

Great image. The light, dof, background and clarity all work together very well.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 8, 2011 at 11:10 PM

Not at all common up here in my part of Alberta, rare for the most of Canada in fact. The background is outstanding for this bird imho. Lots of dof for the bird and entire perch twig. I do wish his body was angled more towards the camera.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2011 at 11:16 PM

Yes, common. But a beautiful song. Nice detail. Wish for more of a head turn toward you.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 8, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Jeff,
Really nice, clean background. The perch is uncluttered which is unusual for my area. Very sharp details Jeff and great eye contact. Only wish the head were turned more towards you but that is a minor complaint. Nice job.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 9, 2011 at 12:24 AM

Nice perch and background. Would be better with the head turned more to show a better profile.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 9, 2011 at 12:45 AM

Excellent, Jeff. I really like the subdued palette and the great eye in this one. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 9, 2011 at 2:40 AM

Very nice bird, Jeff. I like the perch, the light in the face, in particular on the eye and the great sharpness for such a little subject.
Mauro

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 9, 2011 at 7:21 AM

Very nice Jeff, the perch, background and details are wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 9, 2011 at 8:08 AM

really nice, Jeff. I like the light, the perch, the nice gray tones throughout. I agree that all that's missing is more of a turn toward the camera.

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

Comment posted by antino cervigni on February 9, 2011 at 8:30 AM

Excellent work with impressive lighting and details

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on February 9, 2011 at 8:35 AM

A real beauty. Like the grey tones, and the comp is right on as well. I've got one of these guys to post, too. Love these birds.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on February 9, 2011 at 9:03 AM

Thanks all. Its amazing how much a 'stationary' perched bird moves. He was originally facing the opposite way, and I got one a couple shots from the back with a nice head turn. But I kept waiting and he finally turned to face me. I went with this pose, because it lit up the eye so well.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 9, 2011 at 5:54 PM

This has it all. Detail, great exposure, nice background and super sharp!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 9, 2011 at 7:21 PM

Beautiful light Jeff, you handled the exposure well for what you called harsh light. The perch and background are very nice. A little more head turn would be nice. The comp you used is pleasing and has a nice balance.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 9, 2011 at 8:31 PM

I like this image Jeff, even with the head angle. It's a naturally clean shot and IQ looks good. I can see that with the light angle, more of a head turn toward us would have been an overall negative IMO.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 9, 2011 at 10:25 PM

Hi Jeff

I second Mia's and Ron's comments

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 4, 2011 at 12:49 PM

Excellent details Jeff, don't agree with your statement that the light was a bit harsh..this natural light looks fine to me. Nice perch & sparkle in its eye,
Well done!

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